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

I thank Senator Barrett for his comments. The primary function of the Commission for Energy Regulation will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure that a consistent and appropriate level of services is provided to them. It will also be responsible for approving the water charges plan prepared by Uisce Éireann and the codes of practice that will apply to it in terms of standards governing the performance of its functions, billing and the methods of payments, the provision of information to customers, and standards of customer care. In line with the Government's policy on economic regulation, the commission shall be required to produce strategy statements. It will have a role in advising the Government on the development of water services. The Bill provides that the Minister may provide a policy direction to the commission in regard to the performance of its functions.

The section provides that Irish Water shall prepare the water charge plan setting out the manner and method for the water charges to be applied under section 16. This plan must be submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation by Irish Water and the commission will have the power to approve or reject it. The water charges plan will contain the charges to be applied where they are based on the quantity of water as measured by a meter or assessed based on a formula to be set out in the plan. The plan must specify the charges to apply to different categories of customers and the different methods of payments. The section provides that water charges will apply to water supply to the premises and wastewater discharged from the premises. The section specifies that, unless agreed otherwise between Irish Water and the customer, the amount of wastewater discharged shall be equal to the amount of water supplied. The commission will be responsible for approving the plan. It is critical for the new funding structure that the commission be seen to be absolutely independent in fulfilling its function. It will undertake public consultation and has already done so. It will be fully transparent in how it conducts its business. All the submissions made to it will be on its website. Regardless of whether one is the Senator, Deputy or representative of a public body, one's submission will be transparently available. Obviously, if the National Consumer Agency made such a submission, I am quite sure it is at one's peril that one would ignore it. In other words, a rationale for action must be provided.

There is nothing to prevent the Oireachtas from debating a water charges plan before or after it has been approved by the commission. It is important that the Houses be able to discuss a plan. We have decided that the Commission for Energy Regulation will be the agency responsible for the regulation of water services, including all the matters I have raised. I will not be accepting the amendments but I appreciate the arguments that have been made. I hope I have responded to them.