Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to surrender the exemption to domestic water charges secured by Ireland under the European framework directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48819/14]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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228. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there is, at present, no requirement for charges to be imposed on domestic dwellings for the use of water from public mains for domestic purposes under the EU Water Framework Directive and that Article 9.4 formally and legally absolves Ireland from the requirement to charge for domestic water; if he will ensure, on behalf of the Government, that this exemption is renewed before 1 January 2015 in order that the Government will retain the power to charge or not to charge for the use of water for domestic purposes into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49031/14]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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229. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on new information on Article 9.4 of the Water Framework Directive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49075/14]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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246. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding domestic water charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48744/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 229, inclusive, and 246 together.

Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive of 2000 requires Member States to take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, in accordance with the principle of “polluter pays”. Article 9(4) of the Directive states that Member States are not in breach of the Directive if they decide in accordance with established practices not to apply the provisions of the recovery of costs for a given water-use activity, where this does not compromise the purposes and the achievement of the objectives of the Directive.

While this may have been referred to at the time as providing the basis for not charging for domestic water services, the introduction of such charges has subsequently been grounded, primarily, in, firstly, the confirmation by the2007-2011 Government of the intention to charge in the first round of River Basin Management Plans developed in compliance with the Directive and adopted in 2010 and, secondly, the commitment entered into as part of the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland (2010-2013) agreed between the previous Government and the EU/ECB/IMF. The question of continuing an exemption under the Directive before the end of the year therefore does not arise.

In July 2014 , I published a consultation document setting out the timeframe for the implementation of the second cycle of the RBMPs and the consultation period remains open until 31 January 2015. In mid-2015, I intend to publish, and engage in consultation on, an interim overview of the significant water management issues in Ireland and this will provide context for the measures to be undertaken as part of the second cycle RBMPs. As outlined in the consultation document, it is likely that finalised second cycle RBMPs will be published by end-2017.

The Programme for Governmentcommits to introducing a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water and establishing a new State-owned utility to take responsibility for water infrastructure. The new more sustainable funding model being put in place through the establishment of Irish Water will allow for the investment required to ensure our water infrastructure can meet demographic and economic needs and comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive in relation to the water environment.

In line with Government policy, and the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The package of measures which I announced on 19 November 2014, provides clarity and certainty and ensure s that water charges are affordable for customers. Legislation is currently before the Oireachtasto underpin this package of measures.