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

The issue is whether it is a legal obligation in the Act to do that. I believe Irish Water will do it anyway and I do not think there is a need to put it in the Act. I am happy to inform Irish Water of the Seanad's view. I do not have a problem at all with what the Senators are seeking, and I do not think Irish Water will have a problem with it. What the Senators are suggesting makes sense. It is transparent and accountable.

There will be an annual report from Uisce Éireann that will be placed before both Houses, so the Senators will have an opportunity to debate it at that stage. Every single constituency representative will seek to find out what is happening with the money in his or her constituency. That is a natural part of a two-way process. There is nothing secret or hidden in it. The moneys can only be used for the counties in which they were raised. There must be total accountability for that as well.