Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a question down tomorrow for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government who is dealing with the detail of this. The Minister can and will reply at length on particular details. The Central Statistics Office has an involvement in this matter. As I understand it, the CSO has engaged with EUROSTAT as it has a responsibility to do and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has met with the CSO to provide the necessary information and detail to facilitate its work. Ultimately, the decision on the classification of Irish Water and associated Government expenditure is a matter for EUROSTAT, which is completely independent. I do not speak for either the CSO or EUROSTAT but I assume the information collated in working with EUROSTAT is public. Why would it be any other way? EUROSTAT itself will publish its classification when it wants to do so. The Government is happy that Irish Water will pass the market corporation test. I cannot give the Deputy an exact date as to when EUROSTAT will make its decision, but perhaps the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will have more up to date information on that aspect.

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