Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Another Deputy has a similar question later on. I am confident this will pass the market corporation test.

Comments by the European Commission were leaked over the past several weeks. We are, however, confident the market corporation test will be met. Several Deputies have referred to the water conservation grant as if it would have a negative impact on this. This will be a demand-led scheme which will be available universally, including for the Deputy’s backyard, for those with private wells and those in group schemes. The Government is very confident the package being put together will pass the market corporation test.

It must be remembered that EUROSTAT is independent of the European Commission, like the Central Statistics Office is of the Government. It will make its own determination which should be available in April.

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