Irish Water Remit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Questions (464)

Seán Fleming

Question:

464. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure that Irish Water complies with the Aarhus Convention and related European directives and European law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7148/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

It will be the primary responsibility of Irish Water to ensure that it is compliant with EU law, including requirements in relation to water such as the Urban Waste Water and Drinking Water Directives.  Environmental regulation of the new company will be the responsibility of the EPA. The roll out of the Implementation Strategy for Water Sector Reform, which is published on my Department’s website, is focused on ensuring that appropriate policy and legal frameworks are put in place for Irish Water and the water sector, and that all aspects of current environmental regulation are provided for in the transfer of responsibility for water services provision from local authorities to Irish Water.