Having regard to the provisions of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, Irish Water’s governing legislation, including the Water Services Acts and its Constitution, and Irish Water’s current position as a subsidiary within the Ervia Group, there is currently no scope for the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to have a role with respect to Irish Water. Providing such a role for the C&AG would necessitate amendment to the legislation.
The issue of audit is also relevant in the context of the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group, so as to become a standalone, publicly owned, commercial, regulated utility.
Following the Government decision in July 2018, on the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group, my Department is working on a suite of actions to support the implementation of that Government decision, and to give effect to the Programme for Government's commitment to retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility. Amending water services legislation is required to facilitate the separation. I intend that such legislation will include appropriate accountability arrangements, including a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General with respect to Irish Water and my Department is liaising with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in this regard.
