Dáil set to reject McGrath proposal to appoint Water Ombudsman

The Dáil is set to vote down a Bill to create a separate ombudsman for Irish Water.

The Government is rejecting a bill from independent TD Mattie McGrath, which is being debated this morning.

Ministers say the energy regulator can already deal with customer complaints so there is no need for a new body.

However, Deputy McGrath says Irish Water is promoting waste not only within itself, but in the Department of Social Protection as well.

"Why you couldn't just let that out and deal with it that way," he said.

"But no - there'd be no consultants involved, there'd be no more money gravy trains for the boys and you couldn't deduct €100.

"One from two is one - quite simple; we didn't have any IT skills or any mathematic graduates to do that.

"I mean it's just tomfoolery of the highest order."