Economic Regulatory Framework for the Public Irish Water Services Sector

The Water Services Act, 2013 (No 1 March 2013) expands the remit of the CER to include a function to prepare to become the economic regulator for the public water sector. Under this Act the CER is permitted to advise the Minister for the Environment (the “Minster”) on matters related to the economic regulation of the public water sector in Ireland. In October 2013, the CER published its consultation on its proposals for the establishment of a regulatory framework for the public Irish water services sector. It is on the basis of this public consultation, and the responses received, that the CER formulated its advice to the Minister on this matter which was issued in April 2014. The responses received, the CER Consultation Response document and the CER’s advice to the Minister are all published below.