Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to amend current legislation in order that Irish Water would be responsible for problems pertaining to waste water services which occur on the property of persons connected to the public supply and in doing so ensure that members of Irish Water would enter these properties and alleviate the situation in these pipe networks. [35361/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water is responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or sewers extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property.

Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems which are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure.

While the legal position is set out in the 2007 Act, my Department continues to engage with Irish Water in order to set out clearly the responsibilities of Irish Water and property owners in relation to water supply and wastewater infrastructure.