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

This is a very important issue. I have a commitment from Irish Water or Uisce Éireann and the local authorities that they will establish a local point of contact in each council area. In other words, an employee of the county council will be one of the points of contact specifically for water issues. In keeping with the expectations of elected representatives, the contact point will be a local official who is dealing with the water service. It will be somebody who works for the council. They will know the elected person and will deal with water, so they will know what they are talking about, will understand the nature of the query and will respond quickly. That is very important. For elected representatives who choose to use the Irish Water contact centre, a separate help desk will be established to ensure their queries are dealt with swiftly. That is the hot-line, for want of a better word. Irish Water is currently establishing a network of regional offices which will also provide a point of contact for elected representatives. A team of regional communications managers will be appointed at the appropriate time as well. There will be many links.

In addition to those methods of engagement, Irish Water intends to develop a proactive communication with elected representatives, including SMS alerts on operational activities or incidents in their areas. If something happens in a county, the representative will receive a text. There will be regular briefing information on significant milestones, what the plans are and what will happen, and proactive engagement on the development of major capital infrastructure. That refers back to the points Members were making about what is required in a county or city and what will be done. Irish Water will be proactive. In other words, it will contact the public representatives to find out their views. The metering regional communications team will continue to provide a point of contact on metering and regional briefings for public representatives will be arranged early in the new year.