‘Flawed’ data behind cut in children’s water quota

The energy regulator is under pressure to explain what evidence it used to justify a reduction in the free water allowance for children when charges come in next year, after claims the decision was based on "biased" or "flawed" research.

Fianna Fáil’s environment spokesman, Barry Cowen, said the regulator must explain if the figures provided to it by Irish Water went “unchallenged” or were taken “at face value” after the Economic and Social Research Institute cast doubt over their accuracy.

The Commission for Energy Regulation last week accepted a proposal by Irish Water that the annual free allowance for anyone under 18 should be 21,000 litres — or one toilet flush and one short shower a day.