Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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635. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the status of the loans taken on by Irish Water; if these loans are counted as part of the national debt or if they are now separate from, and no longer constituting part of, the State's national debt; the way these loans are now classified by EUROSTAT, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15523/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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A key component of the strategy to establish Irish Water is that Irish Water will be classified as a Market Corporation under EUROSTAT rules and as a result, will not, other than in relation to Government support, be included in the calculation of the General Government Balance. The Government remains confident that Irish Water will pass the Market Corporation Test. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for engagement with EUROSTAT on such matters, and my Department has engaged with that office and has provided the necessary information to facilitate this work. The CSO has confirmed that a classification proposal on Irish Water is currently with EUROSTAT. The CSO has further stated that this is a closed process and that it is awaiting the final adjudication by EUROSTAT.