Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
469. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce legislation to facilitate a referendum to prohibit privatisation of public water services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/21]
View answer474. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to hold a referendum on amending the Constitution to prohibit the privatisation of public water services. [16740/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 474 together.
The Programme for Government states that the issue of the environment, including water, and its place in the constitution is to be referred to the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration.
This issue, particularly in relation to water, is also relevant to the broader water sector transformation programme. In this regard the Government has recently published a Policy Paper, entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility, setting out the expectations and views of Government on the next phase of transformation. The Government expectation is that water services activities will be fully integrated into and delivered by Irish Water and that an appropriate operational framework will facilitate this integrated service delivery model. The Policy Paper is available on my Department's website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/06326-water-sector-transformation-policy-paper/.
The Paper restates the Government’s strong commitment to public ownership of public water services. The principle of public ownership of the public water system is currently reflected in the Water Services Acts and the Paper states that the Government sees no circumstances arising where any part of Irish Water would be placed in private ownership. There is broad agreement amongst the Irish people and across the political spectrum that public water services should be publicly owned and controlled. It is intended that the forthcoming legislation to facilitate the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group will further strengthen the imperative of public ownership of Irish Water.
There must also be recognition that not all water services are provided by Irish Water. The Government's policy and stated commitment therefore is to maintain public water services in public ownership, whilst respecting private arrangements for the provision of water services by group water schemes and by individual households, businesses and other bodies.
The Policy Paper commits to engagement on the referendum issue, noting that such engagement must take place within the context of the wider societal engagement, and in which the relevant Oireachtas Committee will have a key role to play.
