Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's first question was related to whether this would be retrospective. It is my intention to provide for the inclusion of Irish Water in the freedom of information regime from its date of legal establishment as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Energy - 17 July 2013. I have instructed my officials to prepare an order to that effect. I hope we can provide time for it to be considered next week, if the House is agreeable and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government has cleared the drafting of the order.

The Deputy's second question was related to whether Irish Water would be covered by the freedom of information regime for a temporary period. When I was asked the same question at a press conference last week, I indicated that I did not think the freedom of information regime should be like the hokey cokey, with people stepping in and out again. Once it is in, it will stay in, unless, of course, there is some issue to be dealt with in the future. It is certainly not our intention that there would be a competition.

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