Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 10, before section 23, to insert the following new section:
23.--(1) The Board may, upon the commencement of this section, do all such things as may be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the performance by it of water services functions under any enactment passed after the passing of this Act.
(2) The subsidiary may, upon the commencement of this section, do all such things as may be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the performance by it of water services functions under any enactment passed after the passing of this Act.
(3) The Board shall not perform a function under this section if the Minister gives a direction in writing to the Board requiring it not to perform the function.
(4) The subsidiary shall not perform a function under this section if the Minister gives a direction in writing to the subsidiary requiring it not to perform the function.
(5) In this section “water services functions” means functions that are the same as or similar to the functions of a water services authority under the Act of 2007.”.

The purpose of this amendment is to provide the board with powers to undertake preparatory works pending the assignment of full water service powers by future legislation. It clarifies the range of preparatory functions that the subsidiary of the board may carry out pending the provision of full utility powers. This will allow the board in Irish Water to carry out the necessary activities as it prepares for the assignment of full water service powers.