Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to install water meters in households; the money that has been allocated to this; and when spending on same will commence. [9360/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proposed water charges will apply to those with their own private source of water and without access to a public water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9428/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that legal advice as to whether or not a domestic water charging model involving a free allowance is permissible under the EU water directive should be sought prior to the State spending any money that would bring us down that route for example on the installation of meters. [9783/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will seek legal advice as to whether or not a domestic water charging model involving a free allowance is permissible under the EU water directive and amend the terms of reference contained in the request for tenders for consultancy services on the establishment of a water utility accordingly which currently assume the introduction of such a charging regime. [9784/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the terms of reference contained in the request for tenders for consultancy services on the establishment of a water utility published by him on 7 April 2011 assume the introduction of a charging regime for domestic use of water when the law prohibits such charges; and if he will amend the terms of reference to reflect this reality which was legislated into being by the Houses of the Oireachtas. [9785/11]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 401, 407 and 426 to 428, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government proposes the installation of water meters in individual households and the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the funding of the metering programme. Further details will be made available following Government consideration of the proposals.

The Department is also preparing legislation to allow for the introduction of domestic water charges. The advice of the Attorney General will be obtained on all aspects of the draft legislation before it is finalised, including compliance with EU legislation and the treatment of households with their own private source of water or without access to a public water supply.

The Programme for Government also proposes the establishment of a new State-owned water company. 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. The Memorandum also commits Ireland to introducing domestic water charges no later than 2013. The terms of reference for the independent assessment were drafted with regard to these commitments and the proposals contained in the Programme for Government.