Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to point out to the Deputy that there are legacy issues relating to the setting up of Irish Water. The Deputy's party was in government long enough to know what they are. One of these legacy issues is the fact that the people of Roscommon do not have a water service that is appropriate. It is disgraceful that this was left the length of time that it was and that there was no investment to ensure that people had the water services they deserved.

The establishment costs of Irish Water have been examined by the CER, which assessed them in great detail. The CER permitted an allocation of €172.8 million and said that it felt €8 million was not required, so the vast bulk of the establishment costs were accepted. One must also look at it in comparative terms relating to the setting up of a utility of this scale and size. If one looks at it in a comparative context involving other jurisdictions, one will see that the actual establishment costs are on a par with those incurred in other jurisdictions, or in some cases better. I must come back to the decision by the CER relating to its estimate of the establishment costs. The CER has accepted that €172.8 million is the requirement, and if that is its judgment I have no reason to doubt it.

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