Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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167. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the substance tetra is in the composition of smart water meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10218/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Irish Water has informed my Department that it is unaware of any substance called tetra that is used in the manufacture of water meters. There is however a system called TETRA which stands for Terrestrial Trunked Radio which is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver specification. Irish Water has informed my Department that each water meter has a low power radio unit fixed to the top which enables it to be read periodically from a passing van. This is what is known as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). The meters used by Irish Water do not currently employ smart metering technology. However, the meters are capable of being integrated into a smart meter reading system, should that ever be required.