Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. The Minister said that he has funded a study and asked more consultants to carry out work. He is paying them to analyse and recommend to him and to Irish Water a means or mechanism by which pricing may be levied on those who have no meter installed. When was this study initiated? When was it recommended? When was it tendered? When did it commence? When did it conclude? Is this part of the process or jigsaw that is not yet in place and which has forced an undue, unforeseen and unnecessary delay since last January? This follows commitments made by all sides of the current Government on openness, transparency, accountability and information flow to us and others in this process. We understood that we would have been given an indication at least of what the cost might be to consumers, irrespective of their ability or allowances and so on. This information would allow us to engage more directly, formally and openly with those from whom we are seeking support at the doors, as are many others throughout the House.

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