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Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021

Tuesday, 28 September 2021

Ceisteanna (343)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

343. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his engagements with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the context of audits, inspections and or financial examinations of Irish Water; if he will provide an update on plans to include Ervia and Irish Water as bodies that can be subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46265/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) does not currently have a role with respect to Irish Water.

However, the issue of audit is 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 and it will include appropriate accountability arrangements, including a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General with respect to Irish Water. My Department has been liaising with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in this regard. The General Scheme of the Water Services Separation Bill 2021 provides for arrangements in relation to Irish Water’s accountability to the Oireachtas and matters connected with it including a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General. A copy of the General Scheme is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb18c-general-scheme-of-water-services-separation-bill-2021/.

Question No. 344 answered with Question No. 128.
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