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30 2007

Water Services Act 2007

PART 6

Rural Water Services

Chapter 1

General administrative provisions

National Rural Water Services Committee.

75.— (1) There shall be a body to be known as the National Rural Water Services Committee or, in the Irish language, an Coiste Náisiúnta Seirbhísí Uisce Tuathúil (and in this Act referred to as the “National Committee”) to perform the functions assigned to it by or under this Act.

(2) The National Committee shall stand established on such day as the Minister by order appoints.

(3) The National Committee shall consist of such persons as may be appointed by the Minister from time to time.

(4) It shall be the function of the National Committee to—

(a) advise the Minister on—

(i) policy in relation to rural water services,

(ii) rural water services investment objectives and priorities,

(iii) efficiency and effectiveness of investment in rural water services, including progress on the achievement of investment objectives,

(iv) monitoring and reporting procedures in relation to the protection of human health or the environment,

(v) guidelines for the making of a rural water services strategic plan,

(vi) continuing development of rural water services strategic planning, including evaluation of the effectiveness of rural water services strategic plans, or

(vii) such other matters on which he or she may seek advice,

and

(b) carry out such activities, including research, as may, with the consent of the Minister, be required.

(5) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this section.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5), regulations under this section may provide for all or any of the following matters:

(a) composition, appointment and removal procedures and term of office of the National Committee;

(b) meetings and procedures;

(c) expenditure and finance;

(d) reporting arrangements; and

(e) any incidental and ancillary matters.

County rural water services committees.

76.— (1) The Minister may by regulations provide for the establishment by the relevant water services authority of a county rural water services committee in the functional area of such water services authorities as may be prescribed, and on such date and for such purpose as may be prescribed.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may provide for any or all of the following matters in relation to a county rural water services committee:

(a) composition, appointment and removal procedures and term of office;

(b) meetings and procedures;

(c) functions generally in relation to rural water services provision;

(d) reporting arrangements;

(e) expenditure and finance; and

(f) any incidental and ancillary matters.

(3) The expenses of a county rural water services committee may be met by the water services authority under whose auspices it is established.

(4) A water services authority may direct a county rural water services committee established by it to undertake specific actions in accordance with the prescribed functions of the committee, and the committee shall be obliged to comply with such direction.

Rural water services strategic plans.

77.— (1) Notwithstanding section 36 , a water services authority may, and if directed by the Minister shall, make or review rural water services strategic plans with regard to the provision of water services to all rural areas within its functional area.

(2) A plan under subsection (1) shall form an integral component of a water services strategic plan under section 36 , and shall be reviewed from time to time in conjunction with a review of such latter plan.

(3) A rural water services strategic plan which has been made, or is in the process of being made, prior to the first occasion of the making of a water services strategic plan under section 36 shall be reviewed as necessary, and in any event shall be incorporated into the first such plan or plans which is or are made by a water services authority under this Act in respect of its functional area or any part of it.

(4) Any reference to a water services strategic plan in Part 2 may be read as a reference to a rural water services strategic plan for the purpose of such plan.