Like Senator Mullins I congratulate the Government on the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 which was launched today. I hope it will be as successful as others heretofore and that we will be moving towards full employment by 2020.

On the water issue and the controversy about which some Senators spoke earlier, I heard the Tánaiste say resourcing issues in terms of Irish Water are a routine feature of Government work, particularly in her Department which will provide €85 million in payments per year in that regard and also that that Department anticipates no issues arising in the context of processing the water conservation grant. We hear much about the cost of Irish Water. It is important any savings made by it are also put on the record. It was estimated that the Ringsend plant would cost €350 million. Irish Water has reduced this amount to €180 million, resulting in a saving €170 million on only one project. This means the set up costs of Irish Water are balancing out in terms of savings been made.

Some €700 million has been wasted.

The amalgamation of 34 local authorities into one agency will result in a saving of €1.1 billion over seven years.

What about the cost of all the other quangos?

Does Senator MacSharry wish me to go on?

Not particularly.