Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 June 2012
28 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the recreational use of the country’s reservoirs currently allowed by local authorities will be fully protected when the new water authority is established. [29033/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further evaluation, the Government decided that Irish Water should be established as an independent state owned company within the Bord Gáis Group.
Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) has key capabilities that can be brought to bear in the establishment of Irish Water, and these skills will be paired with the experience and commitment to service in local authorities and the specific water and wastewater capabilities and expertise that exist in local government to build the new organisation.
Work is now focused on the finalisation of an implementation strategy which will address transformation planning in more detail. The implementation strategy is being developed in collaboration with other relevant Government Departments, local authorities, BGE and NewERA. This strategy will provide the platform for dealing with a broad range of implementation issues during the transitional phase, including dealing with matters which cross the boundaries between Irish Water functions in relation to water services and those functions which will remain the responsibility of local authorities or other State bodies which impact on the water environment. It is also envisaged that service level agreements will be put in place between Irish Water and local authorities to ensure continuity of service in relation to operations until 2017 at the earliest.
The implementation strategy will, therefore, provide a mechanism for clarifying in due course issues such as the use for recreational purposes of reservoirs which will become the responsibility of Irish Water in the future. While Irish Water's primary purpose will be to ensure security of supply and compliance of drinking water with relevant standards, there are often synergies between these roles and opportunities to provide amenities for local and tourist use. I expect that these issues and the experience of local authorities will be taken into consideration in the relation to future operations.
