Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are four categories to be analysed by the expert panel. I will not prejudge the panel's decision. Criteria are set down and decisions will be made in conjunction with local authorities. Local authorities have done their homework and have worked out, as best as they possibly can, the cost of doing this work. They have considered whether some of the projects are shovel-ready and how easy it is to tap into the current system. Naturally, if other planning gains arise, they will be considered but my priority, which I assume is the same as the Deputy's, is to help those people who have been left stranded in a very difficult position. That is what this is about. It is about taking in charge existing estates where people were failed in the past. That is the number one criterion. Where these estates exist alongside existing Irish Water infrastructure and infrastructure that has capacity for the future, that will be of benefit, but this work is about taking in charge existing housing estates that were built in an unsatisfactory manner, which are serviced with unsatisfactory infrastructure and which are vulnerable to issues relating to wastewater and, in some cases, water.

See this speech in context