Corporate governance
Uisce Éireann is a commercial semi-state company delivering water services for Ireland, providing a modern utility service to support economic development. Establishing Uisce Éireann involved the creation of the required organisation, management systems and processes to manage the water services assets as a modern efficient and customer focused utility.
Uisce Éireann was established pursuant to the Water Services Act 2013 and is a designated activity company, limited by shares. The ultimate shareholder of Uisce Éireann is the Irish Government and, on that basis, Uisce Éireann is a state-owned entity.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2022 provides for amendments to the Water Services Act 2013 so as to facilitate the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group and to change the name of the company from Irish Water to Uisce Éireann. There are no changes to Uisce Éireann’s functions as a result of separation from the Ervia Group. With effect from 01 January 2023 Uisce Éireann is no longer a subsidiary of Ervia.
Board members
A non-executive Board of Uisce Éireann was appointed with effect from 1 January 2023 with these appointments having been made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Of the persons appointed to be directors of Uisce Éireann, one is nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The CEO is also a member of the Board. Details of membership are outlined below and details of decisions taken by the Board are available here.
Board Committees
The Board has established four committees to assist in discharging its obligations through the delegation of certain roles and responsibilities relating to business, operational and financial issues across the Company.
The Investment/Infrastructure & Sustainability Committee is tasked with the consideration of capital projects and related strategies, along with reviewing the Company’s sustainability strategy and objectives.
The Audit & Risk Committee provides oversight of the risk and control environment on behalf of the Board and is responsible for assisting the Board in discharging its responsibilities as they relate to this area.
The Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme Committee supports the Board in overseeing delivery of the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme (“UÉTP”). It is responsible for reviewing the implementation plan for the UÉTP and progressing it against milestones, whilst overseeing the strategy for culture development so as to ensure a diverse, inclusive, progressive and integrated Uisce Éireann.
The Remuneration Committee is tasked with the consideration of balanced scorecards and the performance of Uisce Éireann. It considers and makes recommendations to the Board on the remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment, having regard to the obligation of the Board to implement relevant Government policy, the obligations of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, an analysis of the organisation’s risk appetite and its long term strategic goals.
The Uisce Éireann Management Team
Led by the Chief Executive Officer, implements the strategic direction of the company.
Corporate policies
Uisce Éireann’s corporate policies establish guidelines on accepted business objectives, set the governance framework and control environment, and outline operational processes and procedures. They support core processes and provide a framework for planning, action and decision making for management and employees.
Uisce Éireann continuously reviews and updates its policies and procedures to ensure compliance with best practice and all legislative requirements.
Protected disclosures
The mechanisms whereby Uisce Éireann employees and management may raise concerns, or make disclosures in the public interest, in accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022), is outlined in the Uisce Éireann Protected Disclosures Policy.
Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, requires Uisce Éireann to publish an Annual Report relating to protected disclosures made under the Act.
2022
In accordance with this requirement, Uisce Éireann confirms that in the year ended 31 December 2022, there were no protected disclosures to report.
2021
In accordance with this requirement, Uisce Éireann confirms that in the year ended 31 December 2021, there were no protected disclosures to report.
2020
In accordance with this requirement, Uisce Éireann confirms that in the year ended 31 December 2020, there were no protected disclosures to report.
Regulation of Lobbying Act
Uisce Éireann is required to submit returns three times a year to the Standards in Public Office (“SIPO”) on “relevant communications” made under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.