Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
203. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address concerns that the new framework for the future of water services which completes the transition of such services to Irish Water, will facilitate partial privatisation of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/22]
View answerThe "Framework for future delivery of water services" which was developed through an engagement process facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, will enable the delivery of the Government's ambition for a world class public water system as set out in the Government's Policy Paper on Water Sector Transformation (February, 2021).
The Framework restates the Government's vision for water services based on the establishment of a national water services authority in public ownership. There is no change in policy in relation to public ownership. Nor is there a change in the legal position as set out in section 2 of the Water Services Act 2014 which prevents a current or future Government from initiating any legislative proposals that would seek to transfer Irish Water from public ownership, unless such proposals are first approved by a majority vote of the Irish people in a national plebiscite.
The matter of a referendum on water ownership continues to be under active consideration as a broader policy concern relevant to the water sector transformation process in line with the Government Policy Paper.
