Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2014
526. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he will provide reassurances regarding the price and affordability of water in the context of the EU polluter-pays principle directive, which demands full cost recovery exclusively via water rates and certain levies where applicable. [43211/14]
View answer537. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the half-yearly water cost of €736.88 for a family of three dependent adults is correct; and his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43250/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 537 together.
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers. The CER has issued a determination on the water charges plan submitted to it by Irish Water. Full details and associated documentation are available on the CER website at www.cer.ie/document-detail/CER-Water-Charges-Plan-Consultation/979.
The Government are currently considering the overall impact of these arrangements to ensure that households have certainty around a modest affordable charge. The Government’s policy on water charging is consistent with the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive which provides for social, environmental and economic effects to be taken in to consideration by Member States.
