Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has become common knowledge that on 22 October, despite what he has said, the Minister's predecessor was fully aware of the set-up costs for Irish Water to the tune of €180 million. Does the Minister think that figure is fair? He seems to suggest it is.

In County Roscommon, more than 30,000 households are on a boil-water notice and there is not the required level of investment in infrastructure to ensure that people's basic right to have running water in their homes is fulfilled. Now the Minister seems to think that expenditure in the region of €180 million is okay, and €86 million out of that €180 million is to be spent on consultancy fees.

I certainly do not think this is a fair figure to be used in the setting up of Irish Water.

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