Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Where a local authority carries out any activity in respect of water services that same powers will attach to Irish Water in the context that it must negotiate with the local authority before proceeding to carry out works. It will have the same powers as a local authority. Legally, it has the same statutory powers to ensure the water supply is safe and to carry out whatever works are needed and work that a local authority would do. There will be extra works that a local authority will do in terms of flood relief. There are many other activities which are not transferring to Irish Water, such as the emergency response teams.