asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Northern Ireland Water Council was disbanded; what were its functions; and who will exercise those functions in the future. [HL3089]

The reasons for the disbandment of the council are set out in the consultation report on the integrated impact assessment of reform of water and sewerage services (December 2005), paragraphs 4.43 to 4.54. The primary functions of the council were set out in Article 58 of the Water (NI) Order 1999, being to advise relevant departments on the exercise of their functions under that order and the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 1973. Under new legislation the water industry will be subject to regulation by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation as the economic and consumer regulator and the Environment and Heritage Service as environmental regulator. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland will act as consumer representative.