Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and welcome the regulations to extend the provisions of the freedom of information legislation to Irish Water. The freedom of information legislation will bring transparency, accountability and, hopefully, responsibility to the actions of Irish Water, which is such an important entity. Making Irish Water subject to that legislation will ensure a greater level of confidence in a company which has had considerable teething problems. When we are dealing with taxpayers' money, openness, transparency and accountability must be foremost in our minds. Allowing the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to be extended to Irish Water will go some way towards ensuring that we can rebuild trust in that entity.

During the Committee Stage debate on the Freedom of Information Bill in November last, the Minister indicated that he would make Irish Water subject to the legislation once it was up and running. I accept that one has to allow a period of six months to public bodies to put the necessary administrative arrangements in place to enable them to respond to freedom of information requests in an efficient manner. It is, in my opinion, reasonable that Irish Water should be should be allowed some time to make such administrative arrangements. I welcome the motion and support the Minister on same.