Concerns over awarding of €50m contract for Irish Water’s call centre

Concerns have been raised about the awarding of a €50m contract to run Irish Water’s call centre.

Amid claims of favouritism, Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy revealed how then-environment minister Phil Hogan was directly lobbied months before the four-year contract was handed out to the company involved.

Speaking during what was potentially the last leaders questions debate before the election is called, the opposition TD raised further questions about a €90m investment in the same company last November by a private equity firm which weeks earlier received €125m from the national pension reserve fund.