Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs associated with the setting up of a new water company. [6938/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government proposes the establishment of a new State-owned water utility company to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the European Union and International Monetary Fund commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility and it is my intention that this assessment will proceed as a matter of priority. It is envisaged that this assessment will be completed by October this year. I will be preparing proposals for Government consideration toward the end of this year and further details in relation to the establishment of a water utility and associated costs will be made available following Government consideration of the matter.