Background

On 10 May 2007 The Northern Ireland Executive confirmed that proposed new annual charges for water and sewerage would not be imposed in 2007-08 and that they would establish a comprehensive review to address the longer term approach that should be adopted in relation to financing water and sewerage services.

On 11 June 2007, in a statement to the Assembly, the Minister for Regional Development announced that the Executive had agreed a terms of reference for a comprehensive review of existing arrangements for the delivery of water and sewerage services – and that the review would be lead by an independent panel.