Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Again, the Water Advisory Body has played an important role. Deputy Ó Broin mentioned NGOs' participation. Again, we are talking about advisory in terms of oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the EPA and now the Committee of Public Accounts, which is directly accountable to the Oireachtas. In terms of consultation, the Department has engaged with the Water Advisory Body on its dissolution and the body highlighted the need for the Committee of Public Accounts to engage actively and regularly with the relevant statutory agency - to challenge Uisce Éireann to perform at the level expected and to hold it to account appropriately. Given the debate this afternoon across the House where Deputies have been asking about Irish Water and its accountability, the Committee of Public Accounts has a wide remit in terms of expenditure, delivery and value for money - all of those elements that are really important for what we have been discussing.

We are of the view that it is the correct thing to do. The Water Advisory Body also noted that it has tended to have a technical focus as opposed to An Fóram Uisce, which is much broader in terms of water issues. We all agree it needs to have a more customer centred focus. This can be offered through the direct accountability to the Committee of Public Accounts. We are satisfied its dissolution is the right thing to do and not to have duplication in terms of accountability. Direct accountability to us as Members of the Oireachtas is something we have all been seeking for quite a while in respect of Irish Water.

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