Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make an order to local authorities that when fitting water meters that there would be some system put in place which would have the capacity of alerting the house holder if there was a leak in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3079/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The Programme for Government also committed to the establishment of Irish Water, a State company that will take over the water investment and maintenance programmes of the 34 county and city councils with the key aim of supervising and accelerating the significant investment needed to update the State's water and sewage infrastructure.

On 16 January, my Department commenced a public consultation on these proposed reforms, seeking views from the public on the establishment of Irish Water and the introduction of water charges.

The Government has indicated its intention to commence the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies later in 2012. Specifications for the meters and associated equipment will be based on the best technical solutions available and international best practice. The specifications will not be finalised until after the public consultation period.