Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 530: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on plans for the proposed new Irish water company; the timeline for the setting up and completion of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41191/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority 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 EU/IMF commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of such an authority.

The first phase of work on the independent assessment has been completed. The assessment examined the optimal organisational structure for Irish Water, including its proposed powers and responsibilities, considering legal, financial and organisational aspects together with an implementation timetable. I intend to publish material in relation to the assessment and Government proposals for the reform of the water sector very shortly.