Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014
486. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the domain name, water.ie, has been acquired by Irish Water; and if so the date and cost of acquisition; the identity of the previous owner; and if not, if he will provide details of the ongoing cost of using the domain name to Irish Water. [21440/14]
View answer487. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm when the domain name, water.ie, was first acquired by a State agency; the name of the State agency which acquired the domain name; the consideration paid to the previous owner; and the identity of the previous owner. [21441/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
My Department acquired the domain name water.ie in February 2011 with the intention of setting up a public information website on emergency issues related to water services as well as broader policy issues. The domain name was originally registered by the Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB) in 2001. The LGCSB has subsequently merged with the Local Government Management Services Board to become the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) . There was no fee charge d by the LGCSB for transferring the domain name to my Department. The yearly registration fee of €50 was paid by my Department.
In January 2013, my Department transferred the domain name to Bord Gáis Éireann for use by Irish Water and again there was no fee charged for the transfer. The transfer occurred on 16 January 2013 . Irish Water is now responsible for paying the yearly registration fee.
