Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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362. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government why customers of Irish Water are being fined for non-payment of water charges while the Government has to vote on suspending these charges for nine months. [12552/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will shortly bring forward draft legislation to implement water elements of the “Confidence and Supply Arrangement” agreed with Fianna Fáil in the context of supporting a minority government. This draft legislation will provide for the suspension of domestic water charges for a period of nine months, clarify the position on late payment charges during this period and provide for the establishment of an External Advisory Board to build public confidence in Irish Water.

The suspension period is to allow for the establishment of an expert Commission to consider and make recommendations on the long term funding of water services. These recommendations will be considered by a Special Oireachtas committee and, ultimately, the Oireachtas will then determine the enduring funding model for public water services into the future. In the meantime, Irish Water will continue to make improvements in the delivery of water and wastewater services and increase investment to upgrade our water infrastructure.