David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. We have had some discussion with the Minister on this point. The section relates to the investment plans and it follows on from the water services strategic long-term plan which will be required. Irish Water will have to have regard to its strategic plan and to local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, regional planning guidelines and strategic development zones.

I have a difficulty with all these sections. It is not the level of consultation because consultation with local authorities is a good provision. The Bill provides for the level of consultation when investment plans are being made. It refers to the water services strategic plan, any river basin management plans, any local area plans, any development plans within the meaning of the 2000 Act - which Senator Cummins has pointed out covers the national spatial strategy - any regional planning guidelines, any strategic development zones within the meaning of the Act, each regional body and planning authority. These provisions and the level of consultation are welcome. However, I am still unsure how Irish Water will deal with all that information once it is available to it. Once the information has been collated and the consultations with the local authorities have been concluded and once the local authorities have set out their priorities, the Bill does not determine what guidelines will be followed by Irish Water when deciding which area will be targeted for investment. Is the Minister purposely not being prescriptive and leaving it entirely to Irish Water? Irish Water must determine where investment should be made and what criteria it should follow and also take account of the planning guidelines, spatial strategies and the local government plans. It has to decide where the money and the investment goes. If I read it right I am not sure whether the time period is every two years.