Former senator Joe O’Toole to chair water charges commission

Former senator Joe O’Toole is to be appointed by the Government to chair its new commission to examine the future of water charges.

Mr O'Toole, a former president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, will head up the new expert commission, which will be tasked with examining the future of domestic water charges in the State.

The commission, which is to include international experts, is being asked to recommend a funding model for water services and also methods to improve water quality.

Minister for Housing and the Environment Simon Coveney has said he is determined the suspension of water charges will last for no longer than nine months.

The suspension was agreed as part of the deal that saw Fianna Fáil commit to supporting the minority Government on certain matters. It comes into force at the start of next month and runs until the end of March 2017.

The terms of reference note that the commission will be asked to explore how Irish Water, if it remains in State ownership, could borrow money to invest in infrastructure. The commission is also asked to recommend best approaches to encourage water conservation.

The remaining members of the commission are due to be announced Wednesday.