Cabinet blocks Irish Water complaints probe by Ombudsman

The Ombudsman has questioned why the Government declined to allow his office investigate complaints against Irish Water and says the move has left the utility’s customers without any independent grievance mechanism.

Ombudsman Peter Tyndall, who examines complaints about public bodies, claims Irish Water was needlessly removed from his remit when the company took over water supply and sewerage services from local councils over which he does have jurisdiction.

He says the excuse that Irish Water is a now standalone company does not wash with him, as ombudsmen in other countries have retained powers to investigate water services, even when the ownership or management structure changed.