22/01/2014

Howlin Moves To Extend FOI To Irish Water - FF

Fianna Fáil has welcomed confirmation that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin will bring a motion to the Dáil next week to extend Freedom of Information legislation to Irish Water.

Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Sean Fleming previously tabled amendments to the Freedom of Information legislation at Committee Stage of the legislation before Christmas but it was rejected by Minister Howlin.

Deputy Fleming said: "I welcome the Minister's u-turn on this. I am pleased that he has come round to our way of think and that there should be full transparency and openness at Irish Water as a matter of priority. Given that the Government refused to extend FoI to Irish Water only a matter of weeks ago I think it is clear that this would not have happened if Fianna Fáil had not worked to shine a light on the secrecy under which it was operating.

"In the interests of transparency and openness, as well as being able to access to all material dating back to July 2013 when Irish Water was officially established, we also want access to all information on the 'pre-establishment costs' for Irish Water including consultancy fees."

(CD/JP)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 May 2016
Irish Water Must Not Bill Homes With Boil Water Notice - SF
Householders living in areas with a boil water notice must not be billed by Irish Water, Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, Pat Buckley, has said.
26 November 2015
Govt Accused Of Putting Lives At Risk With Water Treatment System
The government has been accused of putting lives at risk with its "failure" to put in place a 21st century water treatment system. Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh made the comment following the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Urban Waste Water Report for 2014.
15 July 2016
Unspent Water Metering Funding Must Be 'Immediately Reallocated' - SF
Almost €150m of unspent funding allotted for the domestic water metering programme should be "immediately reallocated" to other areas, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Water Eoin Ó Broin has said. Deputy Ó Broin called for the money to be used for other areas earmarked for capital expenditure by Irish Water.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
05 November 2019
Boil Water Notice Re-Issued For Those Supplied By Leixlip Water Treatment Plant
A Boil Water notice has been re-issued for households and businesses supplied by the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant. Irish Water, in consultation with the HSE and Fingal County Council, have issued the new notice "as a precaution" to protect the health of customers.