Irish government poised to to bring Irish Water into full public ownership

The Irish government has published the legislation formally establishing Irish Water as a standalone publicly-owned national authority for water services.

The Bill means the utility will no longer be a subsidiary of the part publicly-owned Ervia Group.

The separation is due to take effect by 1 January 2023 once the measure has been approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas (the republic’s parliament).

The water company will be officially known by is Irish name: Uisce Eirann.

Housing and local government minister, Darragh O' Brien – who is responsible for water policy – said: “This bill is a significant milestone in giving effect to the government’s commitment to retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility.

“I would like to thank Irish Water and its parent company, Ervia, for cooperating with my department to fulfil this commitment.”

Recently the company and the government agreed the terms for the transfer of thousands of water industry staff to Irish Water who are currently employed by Irish local authorities. Traditionally, councils used to run the country’s water services.