Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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453. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of the Water Services Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49161/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake this metering programme. The Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 is currently in preparation, and will provide for the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services from the water services authorities to Irish Water.  The Bill will also provide for the establishment of an economic regulator for water services within the Commission for Energy Regulation. I expect to publish the Bill in the coming weeks.