Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2014
612. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is in receipt of correspondence from a company (details supplied) in County Cork dated 5 December 2014; if he will arrange a meeting between Irish Water and the person; if he is supportive of the efforts to keep the jobs referred to here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48195/14]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group (now Ervia) and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme. In common with meters for other utility services, the meters will be the property of Irish Water which will also be responsible for meter repair and maintenance. While it is a matter for Irish Water to comply with all national and European legislation in the discharge of its functions, the company has confirmed to my Department that it is satisfied that the selection and fitting of the boundary water meter boxes fully complies with international standards. For a Grade B cover and frame, the metering project tender documents for supply of boundary boxes set out the required conformance in relation to both loading classification and loading tests. The essential requirement was compliance with Grade B test loading for Grade B tendered boxes.
Grade B boundary boxes are used where deemed necessary by Irish Water designers. They are fitted in accordance with the boundary box manufacturer’s recommendations and procedures , which Irish Water designers have also incorporated into their designs. Furthermore, Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that the four main framework contractors engaged on the metering programme have IS EN ISO 9001:2008 certification.
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.
