Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the absence of the service level agreement, I ask what protections are provided against privatisation. A recent consultation paper from the Commission for Energy Regulation added further to the confusion about the matter. The paper was produced under section 27 of the Water Services Act 2013 which states the commission may advise the Minister on the development of policy for the regulation and provision of water services. The report recommends that after the transition period, Irish Water be given a free hand to determine how its services are procured. One of the options would be to issue a public tender in which local authorities could participate. The idea that local authorities could compete with a private entity is rubbish, given the overheads they will be carrying.

A significant problem arises in the way responsibilities are being divided. Responsibility for surface water and flooding will remain with local authorities. These are costly and unpredictable tasks. From where will the staff come when they are needed? They will not be in the local authorities once Irish Water is established. Local authorities will be left with a range of responsibilities without the capacity to deal with them. The foul system is going to Irish Water, but the problems it causes such as pollution are being left with the local authorities. In other words, the good stuff is going to Irish Water but the problems are being left behind.

Planning functions will be separate from Irish Water. If a new business coming into Ireland wants to build a major complex in the docklands or somewhere else which will require significant water services, Irish Water will not want to pay for them. How will that issue be addressed?

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