Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. In the case I mentioned, there were two directives. One was to build the new terminal and the other was to raise the money to finance it. The concern is where a Minister gives a directive that is not economically sound, as in the airport case, given we now have a new terminal and 8 million fewer passengers going through Irish airports. That had to be financed and the financing was through an increase in charges, which partly contributed to the reduction in traffic and the difficulties in tourism.

I will not press the point at this stage but will bring the Minister of State's points back to those with whom I was in discussion. We might see developments on Report Stage. Let us suppose the Minister makes a wrong decision and Irish Water has to comply, and the cost of water goes up.

Will the regulator be compelled to finance what turns out to be an excessively expensive situation? I will think about it overnight. I thank the Minister of State for his response.