David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to transfer responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of private sewers and lateral drains to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28999/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provided for the transfer of water services functions from the water services authorities to Irish Water. The Act also provided for the transfer of water services property from the water services authorities to Irish Water. In this regard, the ownership of public sewers transferred to Irish Water on 20 January 2015.

The Water Services Act 2007 defines a drain as a pipe that is not owned, vested or controlled by a water services authority. Accordingly, there is no legal basis for the transfer of drains, or responsibility for their maintenance, to Irish Water.