Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 35 and 36 are being discussed together. Amendment No. 36 requests two reports on two issues: upgrading the water infrastructure, and changes to the building regulations to ensure there are water conservation measures in all newly-built properties. I do not believe that additional requirement is required in primary legislation. Irish Water's business plan sets out an ambitious capital investment programme of €5.5 billion to 2021. Some €4 billion of this will be invested during the 2016-21 capital investment plan. This investment is vital for upgrading our drinking water treatment and wastewater infrastructure, improving water quality and reducing leakage. That business plan tells us about the infrastructure upgrades that must take place over those years. Under the provisions of the Bill, the proposed water advisory body will be tasked with advising the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and reporting on a quarterly basis to the Oireachtas housing committee on Irish Water’s implementation of its business plan. That will give Members all the oversight they need in that regard. That refers to the first report being proposed.

With regard to the second report, Part G of the building regulations, relating to hygiene, currently provides for measures around toilet facilities, conservation and flushing. Part H of the regulations refers to drainage and wastewater disposal and allows for rainwater harvesting and grey water reuse. With regard to a report, and this is of interest because we are working on the housing issue as well, a study on the indicative cost associated with building a three-bedroom semi-detached house found that the figure for incorporating rainwater harvesting technologies amounted to €4,250 per house. That figure would be likely to be much higher for larger, more complex buildings.

In so far as the water conservation grant is concerned, the first fix free scheme will continue and will assist in fixing leaks and ensuring households do not use water above the threshold set for domestic use which, as the Deputy noted, is very generous.

The legislative provisions in the Water Services Act 2014 relating to the water conservation grant are not being repealed. This means that it will be open in the future to reintroduce a grant scheme as resources allow and if it is deemed necessary. The water forum which is being established in this Bill will also play a key role regarding water conservation. One of its principal functions will be to advise the Minister on Government water policy, taking account of water conservation. The fundamental purpose of this Bill is water conservation, so that runs throughout it. On that basis, I cannot accept the amendments.

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