Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2018
73. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of Irish Water moving towards a single utility; the reason for the separation of Irish Water from a company (details supplied); and the further status of the plan to enshrine public ownership of water services in the Constitution. [47149/18]
View answerThe Government’s Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 sets the broad policy context for the development of water services, including the position of Irish Water as the single, publicly owned water services authority.
In July 2018, the Government decided that Irish Water would become a standalone publicly owned, commercial, regulated utility separated from the Ervia Group during 2023. This was considered to be in the best strategic interests of the water services and gas networks businesses and would enhance the heightened level of transparency and accountability required for Irish Water, given the level of Exchequer funding being provided to it. This decision was based on Departmental analysis, supported by input from NewERA. It is important to note that in establishing Irish Water within the Bord Gáis (now Ervia) Group initially, this was on the basis that flexibility be maintained from the outset to allow for the potential separation of Irish Water at a future date.
On 19 September 2018, I received a report from the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in respect of a process of engagement that was undertaken at my request with the parties involved in the transformation programme for Irish Water, those being the utility itself, ICTU and relevant affiliated unions, Local Government management and my Department. In this context, Irish Water has proposed fully integrating its operations and ending the current operational arrangements for the delivery of water services through service level agreements (SLAs) with local authorities. The discussions with the parties have advanced on the basis that the current SLAs remain in place until such time as an alternative is agreed.
In considering the report in consultation with my Government colleagues, I am particularly mindful of the WRC’s comments that uncertainty about the next phase of transformation appears to be causing staffing difficulties at Local Government level and that further delay in providing the necessary clarity could exacerbate this situation and increase risks to the safe and effective delivery of water and wastewater services.
Therefore, in the interests of clarity, I am asking the parties to now engage in a process to work towards the development of a stable structural and operational framework for the future. I am grateful for the commitment of the WRC to facilitate this process. My Department is currently communicating with the parties in this regard.
In relation to the question of a constitutional amendment on the public ownership of water services, the position is that I undertook to endeavour to bring forward wording capable of being tabled as an amendment to the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016. I will shortly update the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the latest progress in this regard.
