Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The funding models will be a matter that will be kept under constant review in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, given his particular role in regard to the oversight and accountability arrangements for the commercial semi-State sector generally, and that has always been the case. There will be a role and a continuing role there.

For the information of Members, the Secretary General of my Department has recently offered to provide information to the Committee of Public Accounts, if it would find that of assistance, outlining the flow of funds from the Exchequer and the local government fund to Irish Water, funds which, as I outlined, are subject to full examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Assuming that the Committee of Public Accounts confirms it wishes to have such information brought before it, we are happy to place that information in the Oireachtas Library for full scrutiny.

What has been said is a red herring. Irish Water will be treated no differently than any other semi-State utility.