Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

124. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the methods that were used to select and appoint members of the board of Irish Water; and the number of persons that applied for the position. [4386/14]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

125. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current corporate relationship between Irish Water and Bord Gáis. [4387/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Question Nos.124and125together.

The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) and that the new company should be formed and registered under the Companies Acts. The Memorandum and Articles of Association, which were adopted by Irish Water on its incorporation in July 2013, provide that the appointment of directors to the Board of Irish Water is the responsibility of the Board of BGE with the approval of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Twelve directors have been appointed to the Board of Irish Water by BGE and these appointments were approved in advance by me, as Minister, and by my colleague, Minister Pat Rabbitte. The persons appointed by BGE have a broad range of relevant expertise, knowledge and experience which will be critically important in guiding Irish Water in its challenging start-up phase.