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

I want to say very clearly, as I pointed out the last day, that the Oireachtas has a very important role and it is for the Members of the Oireachtas to decide they want to play that role. I pointed out that Senators making their comments here is very important. More important is the fact this is a consultative process. In other words, Irish Water makes the plan and it then goes to the regulator, and the regulator then proposes its decision and asks for the views of the Oireachtas Members. I believe the Oireachtas committee should invite in Uisce Éireann and go through its plan, and also invite the regulator to discuss its decision.

The Senators referred to the Oireachtas getting involved in making decisions. I believe the collective wisdom of the Oireachtas would have to be listened to. It is terribly important that Oireachtas Members play an active role in bringing in the regulator and Irish Water to go through the issues with them. That is how they will have their say. It would be wrong for us to set down all the details of the physical code of practice but there is no reason Oireachtas Members could and should not make a comprehensive list to be sent to the regulator in order to outline the views of the Oireachtas prior to the decision coming out.

The approval of the codes of practice is proposed as a statutory role for the regulator.

This is a key element of the regulator's role in providing for protection of customers through the preparation of the codes of practice. The regulator will act in a fully transparent way in discharging its functions relating to the economic regulation of Irish Water. As I said, there is absolutely nothing preventing the Oireachtas from debating all of these matters and the amendments are, therefore, unnecessary. I would urge the Senator to follow up on the points he has made by, for example, putting down a motion in this House. In addition, the Oireachtas committees are extremely important as a forum for accountability and allowing members to express their views. That is how Members can play an active role in this. I am not suggesting that Senator Cullinane is being in any way passive, but there certainly is scope for all Members to take an active approach in asking questions, seeking information and so on.