Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015
625. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is in a position to answer parliamentary questions in respect of operational matters for Irish Water; the extent of questions he can answer in relation to policy and overall issues; the type of issues he cannot deal with by way of parliamentary question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25095/15]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group (now renamed Ervia), which conforms to the conditions set out in the Act and is registered under the Companies Acts. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 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 utility is accountable to the Environmental Protection Agency in terms of environmental regulation.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Questions on operational matters, therefore, should be addressed to the company. 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 a dedicated number, 1890 578 578. Irish Water is also available to deal with queries of Oireachtas members at a weekly briefing each Wednesday in Leinster House.
Matters relating to funding provided by my Department to Irish Water, including operational subvention, and other matters where I, as Minister, have policy or legislative responsibility may of course be dealt with by way of Parliamentary Question. As the Deputy will be aware, decisions in relation to the admissibility of individual Parliamentary Questions are a matter for the Ceann Comhairle.
