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

In adjoining local authorities common infrastructure may be developed.

For instance, there is an arrangement that Louth County Council in Drogheda runs the water supply services for east Meath. Of course, service level agreements between Irish Water and local authorities can vary. It would, however, be by consent. For example, an adjoining local authority, such as a city, should be able to bring new synergies to a neighbouring local authority which might be predominantly rural. If this agreement was not in place, then the opportunity for new efficiencies in the provision of services for those communities which might not have the capacity to provide that infrastructure from their own resources might not arise.