I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 545 together.
The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. The installation programme commenced in August 2013 and will be completed by mid-2016. The timeframe and the allocation of resources for the installation of meters in each region is an operational matter for Irish Water.
Irish Water has informed my Department that its tendering process is fully compliant with public procurement rules. In accordance with EU procurement rules, given the value of the contract for the domestic metering programme, this tender was advertised at EU level, in accordance with EU procurement rules. While I have a role in consenting to capital commitments, neither I nor my Department were involved in the award of contracts.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.