Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
1000. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific policy directions given by his Department and-or the Government to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41206/14]
View answerIrish Water was established in line with the Water Sector Reform Implementation Strategy published in December 2012. The overall policy is reflected in the two Acts passed by the Oireachtas in 2013. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides specific mechanisms for the issue of Ministerial policy directions to both the Commission for Energy Regulation and Irish Water. A direction in relation to water charges was issued to CER under Section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 in July 2014. A copy of the direction is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,38403,en.pdf.
A direction issued to Irish Water under section 33(3) of the Act in August 2014, relating to the preparation of a twenty five year Water Services Strategic Plan. This Direction sets out the form that the Strategic Plan, which Irish Water is required to prepare, should follow. A copy of the direction is available on my Department’s website at the following link :
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,39204,en.pdf.
