Irish Water has defended the spending of 50 million euro on consultancy fees.
The body now responsible for the supply of water says such costs are to be expected in the set of a new utility service.
CEO of the company, and Tipperary man John Tierney defended the fees to companies such as Oracle, Accenture, and Ernst and Young.
It's feared householders may be forced to absorb such costs through water charges – a figure for which has yet to be decided.
Terryglass native, John Tierney says that the money had to be spent to set up the company.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan says it was necessary for Irish Water to spend large sums on money on consultants.
Minister Hogan says it’s not possible to establish a company correctly without spending money and it can't be done 'off the top of your hat'.
