Coalition TDs split over €50m Irish Water spend

Irish Water’s woes have sparked infighting in government parties with TDs split between giving the agency the benefit of the doubt about its spend on consultants and demanding it explain itself.

Fine Gael’s Simon Harris, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, said there was an immediate need for information.

“It is very unsettling to hear that Irish Water has managed to rack up a bill on behalf of the taxpayer of over €50m to consultants. It is absolutely essential they come before the committee and provide detail of what the €50m was spent on, why it was necessary to spend this much money, why certain issues required consultants rather than being dealt with in-house, and what procurement procedures were used to ensure taxpayers are getting value for their money.”