Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I repeat, district metering is already in place. If Senator Cullinane wishes to give me some correspondence on the point he makes, I would be happy to read it.

The Government has approved the Bill containing both names. Absolutely nothing would prevent the company from using the Irish title. I would concur with the Senator's view. We speak not of "board horse" but of Bord na gCapall, not of "board welcome" but of Bord Fáilte, and not of "board turf" but of Bord na Móna. I know where I stand on this one and I know where Senator Cullinane stands. I would be happy to discuss it further with the new CEO and everybody else.

I am not quite clear about the issue with Bord Gáis the Senator from Wexford made. If he has a point about it, he should make it to them. It is not germane to this Bill in the context of whatever the issues are.

What is germane is that the company is accountable. It will be a dynamic organisation. There is no question but that the regulator is in place to police what will be the costs. I would stress that the regulator will fix the price. Bord Uisce Éireann can propose whatever cost increases it wants, but they will have to be gone through in detail by the regulator, the regulator will have to make a finding, then, I presume, that finding will go out for public consultation and that decision will certainly be debated and discussed. There is no way there will be any operational inefficiencies which are brought to the attention of the regulator that any company that it regulators will get away with - that is the purpose of the regulator. I hope that assures the Senator in that context.