Hogan was never told of €50m to be paid in consultants’ fees

Environment Minister Phil Hogan was never told by the department of the €50m set to be paid in consultants fees by Irish Water — despite the fact it was informed of the sum in March last year.

It also emerged last night that staff at the commercial State company cannot be disciplined and cannot be fired, Irish Water said.

Managing director John Tierney also confirmed that if the regulator refuses to add the company’s start-up costs into charges for customers — due to inefficiencies — that Irish Water will still ask the Government to foot the bill.