From the outset Uisce Éireann, Irish Water has reeked of cronyism, jobs for the boys and reckless waste of public money, not least the €86 million spent on consultants. That has been a hallmark of the company. Would the Taoiseach not accept that this is a toxic brand and that the majority of citizens will not accept it?

It has also emerged that in May 2013, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government had an understanding that the overall budget for the installation of water meters would amount to €431 million. Instead, that has come out at €539 million, which is €100 million more than the Government budgeted for. I am sure the Taoiseach can count up that. This is a huge amount of the people's money. The CEO, Michael McNicholas, has explained this away by blaming water meter contractors. This is very interesting, given that the same Mr. McNicholas owns shares worth €1 million in a company, NTR plc - formerly National Toll Roads - which is making millions out of water meter contracts. Mr. McNicholas is also an adviser to NTR plc. Will the Taoiseach explain the massive overrun for the installation of water meters? Will he tell the Dáil whether he thinks it is satisfactory that the man who heads up Irish Water's parent company owns significant shares in a company that is set to make millions from Irish Water contracts?

I do not speak for Mr. McNicholas. He answered this question for himself very clearly yesterday. I will explain the difference between an estimate and a formal tender. Even Deputy Adams knows this. In terms of building, an estimate of what it might cost is provided. That estimate might be different from the actual formal tender that is submitted.

How many houses could have been built with the difference?

The chief executive outlined the difference between an estimate and a formal tender.

It was an expensive consultancy.

That is the reason for the difference in the figures between the estimate and the formal tender.

Are they shovel-ready?