Recruitment process begins for new public water forum

The energy regulator has begun recruiting members of the public to sit on a new forum designed to feed into the work of Irish Water.

The Public Water Forum, established by law as an independent consultative body, will comprise 32 members.

Twelve will be drawn from organisations representing specific interests and up to 20 will be domestic water consumers.

The forum will be chaired by Dr Tom Collins, who is chair of the Governing Body of DIT and also of IT Blanchardstown.

A spokesman for the Commission for Energy Regulation, which sets the prices Irish Water can charge and has overall responsibility for the economic regulation of public water services, said the forum would be a "vital component" in the development of the sector.

Dr Collins said the forum would be a place where different views could be aired and listened to with respect.

“The Public Water Forum aims to further the democratic input into our decision-making regarding this fundamental and strategic asset,” he said.

“Clearly the forum is emerging into a highly contested environment where many deep differences characterise the current debate on water. In its early days at any rate, I would hope that the forum might initially discuss and agree on core principles which would guide an approach to managing the resource.

Once those principles are accepted we would then have a framework within which to develop and appraise a range of management options in the interests of all the citizens of this Republic.”

Dr Collins previously served as chairperson of the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee. He is being appointed to the new forum for an initial term of three years and has declined any remuneration for the position.

Information on how to apply for a place on the forum can be found online.