Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2012
50 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timetable for the establishment of an Irish water utility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5720/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority, Irish Water, to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of such an authority.
The first phase of work on the independent assessment has been completed and has been published as part of a public consultation which will conclude on 24 February 2012. The report set outs an outline transition plan for the establishment of Irish Water which would involve the appointment of an interim board and Project Management Office in 2012. Irish Water would be established under its own statute by mid 2013 at which point ownership of assets would transfer from local authorities to Irish Water. Local authorities would be agents of Irish Water for a period with Irish Water taking over their operations on a phased basis from January 2015. The full transfer of operations would be completed by end 2017.
Phase two of the independent assessment will set out a more detailed implementation plan and it is expected that this plan will be completed in April 2012 following on from the consultation process.
