Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects progress to be made on the part privatisation of Bord Gáis; if he will give details of the contacts he has had with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on establishing Irish Water within its auspices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30723/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Government has decided that Bord Gáis Éireann's (BGÉ) Energy business will be included as part of the assets disposal programme. BGÉ is a strong and dynamic State company. The success of Bord Gáis Energy demonstrates BGÉ's capacity to develop new and efficient businesses for the benefit of Irish consumers as well as the State as shareholder.

The Government is irrevocably committed to retaining the Bord Gáis transmission and distribution networks as well as the gas interconnectors in State ownership as national strategic infrastructure and fundamental to Ireland's security of energy supply and the economy.

Following the Government's decision on the State asset disposal programme, a group including my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA has been tasked with progressing all policy, regulatory, legislative and financial issues to be addressed prior to the disposal of Bord Gáis Energy.

The group is making good progress; the identification of these issues is complete and the group is currently developing an implementation programme to address these issues in order to facilitate a transaction process for Bord Gáis Energy commencing in 2013.

Turning to Irish Water; the recent decision to establish Irish Water within the BGÉ Group reflects the Government's confidence in BGÉ. BGÉ's experience in the key areas of raising finance, operating and investing in critical network infrastructure and delivering excellent customer service, will be effectively deployed in the successful establishment and operation of Irish Water.

The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has responsibility for the establishment of Irish Water. My Department is working with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the establishment of Irish Water as a company within the BGÉ Group.