Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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489. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32404/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Water Services Act 2013 provide d for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, to be formed and registered under the Companies Act s . Section 5 of the Act provides that the ownership of Irish Water is vested in the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Finance. Section 5 was amended by section 46 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 to prohibit either Minister from disposing of their shareholding in Irish Water, which in effect places a statutory prohibition on the privatisation of Irish Water.

The Programme for Government set out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance.  The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 also assigned the necessary statutory powers to Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provide d for the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services from the water services authorities to Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014. In accordance with section 72 of the Water Services Act 2007, Irish Water may require any consumer of water services provided by it to take their supply through a water supply meter. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 also provided for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to be responsible for the independent economic regulation of Irish Water.  In particular, the CER will be responsible for approving water charges plans codes of practice prepared by Irish Water. The Act also requires the CER to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of the customers of Irish Water.  Irish Water is obliged to comply with all relevant national and European legislation.