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

Considering the delay which has ensued, in spite of commitments given by several members of the Cabinet, an example of which was the comments made by the Tánaiste last week to the effect that this should have happened months ago, will the Commission for Energy Regulation be allowed extra time during which the public might be permitted to make submissions as part of the consultation process? Given the issues of the poor quality of water in many areas, the level of leakage and the fact that the Government and Irish Water on its instruction have yet to publish a complete audit of the system and a road map for reinstatement and rectification works and the status of progress in Dublin, the submissions of the Government and Irish Water are required to be published before people would be in a position to make a submission. They may believe the Government's proposals fail to address the deficiencies in certain parts of the country, the issue of hard water and its effect on white goods and the effect on households and their ability to pay the standing charge and the level of the free allowance. They might not meet with their approval.

Considering the Government's delay and procrastination in this area, will the Minister make a commitment to the public, and to this House, that the chief executive officer will be allowed extra time as it did not adhere to the initial commitments on the timetable put in place?

See this speech in context