To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role has been given to the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council in developing the Strategic Business Plan and Water Reform. (103368)

The Department has sought the views of the General Consumer Council on an early draft of the Strategic Business Plan consistent with the council’s statutory role as defined in the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984.

The Government welcome the strong support that the General Consumer Council has given to the principle of paying for water and sewerage services. The Department has worked closely with the Consumer Council in the development of water reform policy consistent with the council’s current statutory role as defined in article 4 of the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 and also with the future role it will have as set out in articles 45 to 59 of the Draft Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role has been given to the Strategic Investment Board in developing water reform in Northern Ireland. (103369)

The Strategic Investment Board is assisting the Department with the water reform programme consistent with its statutory remit set out in The Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council will play in reviewing the Strategic Business Plan for Northern Ireland Water Ltd. (103370)

The Government welcome the strong support that the General Consumer Council has given to the principle of paying for water and sewerage services. The future role of the General Consumer Council is set out in the articles 45-59 of the draft Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006. In discharging its consumer representation role, the Consumer Council may wish to monitor the service provided by Northern Ireland Water Ltd. against the targets set out in the company’s business plan.