Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014
536. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the reason firms with a turnover of less than €25 million were excluded from tendering for the installation of water meters; the number of firms that tendered for the installation of water meters; the number of firms that were disqualified from this tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46089/14]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bórd Gáis Éireann Group (now Ervia) and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme, which commenced in August 2013 and will be completed by mid-2016. Irish Water has informed my Department that its tendering process is fully compliant with public 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. However, I understand that four regional main contractors covering eight meter regions were appointed by Irish Water on foot of the procurement process.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
