18. The No. 2 Act of 2013 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 32 (amended by section 17):

“32A. (1) The Minister shall prepare a statement, in this Act referred to as a ‘water services policy statement’, which shall be prepared—

(a) in respect of the first statement, not later than 6 months after the coming into operation of this section, and

(b) in respect of each subsequent statement, from time to time as determined by the Minister.

(2) A water services policy statement shall contain information concerning the policy objectives and priorities of the Government regarding the provision of water services in the State for such period as may be specified in the statement.

(3) In preparing the water services policy statement the Minister shall have regard to—

(a) the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003) and in particular any river basin management plans for the time being in force made under Regulation 13 of those Regulations,

(b) for the purpose of section 5(d) of the Act of 2007, the most recent report prepared by the Agency under section 58 of the Act of 1992,

(c) for the purpose of section 5(g) of the Act of 2007, any regulations made under section 59 of the Act of 1992,

(d) the most recent report prepared by the Agency under section 61 of the Act of 1992,

(e) the need to prevent or abate risks to human health or the environment in the provision of water services,

(f) any policy of the Government relating to spatial planning objectives,

(g) any policy of the Government relating to promotion of economic development, and

(h) the need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the provision of water services.

(4) As soon as may be after the preparation of a water services policy statement the Minister shall cause a copy of the statement to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(5) The Minister shall publish, on a website maintained by the Minister, a water services policy statement as soon as may be after it has been laid under subsection (4).

(6) In this section, ‘Act of 1992’ means the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.”.