Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2014
140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the establishment of Irish Water has become an impediment to the taking estates in charge process; the arrangements he has put in place to overcome same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14315/14]
View answerAs stated in Circular Letter PL 21/13 issued by my Department to planning authorities on 30 December 2013 in the light of the transfer of certain statutory water services functions from local authorities to Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014, legislative amendments to further clarify the existing provisions on the taking in charge of housing estates will be made in 2014. However, contrary to certain misunderstanding that may exist following the recent establishment of Irish Water, there is no specific legal impediment to the taking in charge of water services infrastructure by local authorities at present. As also indicated in this circular letter, pending further legislation and guidelines in 2014, planning authorities have been advised that they should in the first instance consult with Irish Water on any proposal to take in charge water services infrastructure which would ultimately be transferred to Irish Water under section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.
