Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Irish Water is to be established as a public body; why the Energy Bill 2016 seeks to expand the remit of the Commission for Energy Regulation to cover the regulation of water services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16176/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I have no role or function in the operation or regulation of Irish Water. Irish Water was established as a company under the Water Services Act, 2013. The development of policy in the water area is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The Energy Bill 2016 proposes a change of name of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities.  The Water Services (No. 2) Act, 2013 provides that responsibility for the independent regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.  It is appropriate and timely to change its name to reflect this. The Energy Bill 2016 does not propose any expansion of the CER’s remit in respect of its water functions.