719. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the requirements that will apply from 31 December 2026 to products already being supplied or installed in Ireland that do not hold a certificate meeting the criteria for the transitional arrangements; whether existing stocks may continue to be sold or used; the way in which products already installed will be treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64656/26]

720. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria Ireland will use to determine whether a product holds a valid national conformity certificate on 31 December 2026 for the purpose of the transitional arrangements operating until 31 December 2032; when these criteria will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64654/26]

721. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the detailed implementation timetable for Article 11 of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 between now and 31 December 2026, including the dates for the designation of the notifying authority and market-surveillance authority; the accreditation and notification of conformity-assessment bodies; the publication of national guidance, engagement with industry and commencement of enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64651/26]

722. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to identify the authority that will act as Ireland's notifying authority for conformity-assessment bodies under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/370; whether that authority has been formally designated; the date on which its designation took effect or is expected to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64650/26]

723. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the engagement undertaken with manufacturers, importers, merchants, plumbing and construction representatives, consulting engineers, certification bodies, local authorities and Uisce Éireann regarding the implementation of Article 11 of Directive (EU) 2020/2184; when comprehensive guidance will be published for those sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64657/26]

724. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to identify the Department, agency or public body with lead responsibility for implementing the product conformity and certification requirements under Article 11 of Directive (EU) 2020/2184; to provide a complete breakdown of the responsibilities assigned to his Department, the EPA, Uisce Éireann, the CRU, the Irish National Accreditation Board, local authorities and any other relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64647/26]

725. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm which body or bodies will be authorised to assess and certify products intended to come into contact with drinking water under Article 11 of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 from 31 December 2026; whether any conformity-assessment body based in Ireland has been accredited or notified for this purpose; whether Irish manufacturers and suppliers will be able to use a notified body established in another EU Member State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64649/26]

726. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Ireland intends to apply the harmonised EU requirements for materials and products in contact with drinking water without additional national requirements; whether his Department or any agency intends to introduce additional Irish testing, certification, registration, positive-list, marking, installation or approval requirements; the legal and technical basis for any such additional requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64652/26]

727. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Uisce Éireann, local authorities or other public water suppliers will be permitted to require tests, approvals or product certifications in addition to those required under the harmonised EU drinking-water product regime; whether guidance will be issued to ensure that procurement specifications do not unnecessarily restrict products carrying the required EU conformity marking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64653/26]

728. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether products holding approvals from the Drinking Water Inspectorate for England and Wales, WRAS approval, or an equivalent approval issued in another European jurisdiction will be regarded as holding a valid national conformity certificate in Ireland on 31 December 2026; whether such products may continue to be placed on the Irish market until 31 December 2032; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64655/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727 and 728 together.

Ireland will adhere to the requirements set out in Article 11 of the Drinking Water Directive and associated Implementing and Delegated Acts. As detailed in the Directive, the implementation timelines are set out within the Regulations which transpose the Directive into national law. The requirements, in relation to Article 11, will apply from 1 January 2027. Products placed on the market prior to this date may avail of the applicable transitional provisions up to and including 31 December 2032, subject to continued compliance with the requirements of the national conformity certificate from 1 January 2027.

My Department is currently developing the national conformity certification arrangements. The details of which will be published prior to the commencement of the transition period (1 January 2027). However, the introduction of a national conformity certificate would not, in itself, preclude the use or application of standards from other member states or the United Kingdom during the transition period, up to and including 31 December 2032.

Notwithstanding the requirements provided for under the Drinking Water Directive and the associated acts, under the national conformity certificate arrangements, no additional product testing or certification will be required.

My Department recognises the importance of ensuring that procurement specifications do not unnecessarily restrict or exclude products which demonstrate conformity with EU requirements. Responsibility for national public procurement policy and guidance rests with Office of Government Procurement (OGP). My Department will engage with OGP, as appropriate, to ensure the implications of Article 11 requirements and associated conformity marking are understood and appropriately reflected in relevant procurement guidance and practice.

My Department is the national competent authority responsible for implementing Article 11 of the Drinking Water Directive and the associated acts. My Department will also be the notifying authority, effective from 1 January 2027 when the EU requirements take effect. In addition, Ireland will also be required to designate a market surveillance authority for the purposes of the new arrangements. Work is currently ongoing to determine the appropriate arrangements for market surveillance in Ireland, including the designation of the relevant authority. The market surveillance regulations will provide for market surveillance and enforcement arrangements. However, it should be noted that the 2023 Drinking Water Regulations already set out requirements for water suppliers (including Uisce Éireann) regarding materials that come into contact with water intended for human consumption. Currently, under the new requirements, no specific roles have been assigned to the EPA, CRU, Irish National Accreditation Board or local authorities.

The European Commission has published extensive technical guidance in relation to these new arrangements. In light of this, my Department does not currently intend to publish separate guidance, other than in relation to the arrangements around the national conformity certificate. My Department will, however, keep this under review and will consider whether any additional guidance is required as the implementation of the new arrangements progresses.

Currently, no conformity assessment bodies have been established in Ireland. However, under the new framework, Irish manufacturers and suppliers can access conformity assessment bodies established in any EU Member State.

My Department’s engagement in relation to the new EU requirements has primarily taken place through the National Drinking Water Expert Group, which is chaired by my Department and through the associated technical subgroups established to support the transposition and implementation of the Directive. Membership includes Uisce Éireann, Local Authorities, CRU, INAB, HSE, Department of Health, EPA, DAFM, FSAI, NSAI and the River Basin Management Service.

My Department has engaged, and continues to engage with Industry stakeholders on specific issues relating to the requirements. In particular, my Department continues to engage with IBEC in relation to queries and concerns raised by the retail and industry sectors. This engagement has supported my Department’s practical consideration of these requirements in Ireland.