The Consumer Council is withdrawing from the Water Stakeholders Partnership Agreement due to a breakdown in trust.

Consumer Council Chairperson, Rick Hill and Chief Executive, Antoinette McKeown informed NI Water's (NIW's) Interim Chair Padraic White and Chief Executive Laurence MacKenzie and Department for Regional Development (DRD) Minister Conor Murphy MP, MLA of the decision at separate meetings.

Ms McKeown said: "This decision was not an easy one but we felt we had no choice. The Partnership Agreement is not working for the consumer. We've a statutory duty to support consumers. When the Partnership Agreement does not work to represent the views and concerns of consumers, then we have no option but to withdraw from it.

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"Trust has broken down between some of the partners in the Partnership Agreement. This isn't about the Consumer Council; it is about consumers not having a full and accurate picture and that is simply not right. Until such times as we can be assured that the Partnership Agreement will be honoured and trust restored by all stakeholders agreeing to be transparent in their dealings, we cannot be a part of it."

Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy set up the Water Stakeholders Partnership Agreement in 2008. The Water Stakeholders Partnership Agreement members include Minister Conor Murphy, DRD Water Policy Division, NI Water, Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Ms McKeown concluded: "There is a need for clarity and certainty. NIW's shortcomings and failings are well documented. The Consumer Council wants to ensure that any action the Minister takes is in the interest of consumers and protects the vast investment in water that has been made in recent years.

"The bottom line is the need to deliver water services in a way that is open, transparent, fair and affordable. We will continue to work towards delivering this for consumers."

(CD/GK)