A new board has been appointed to take charge of Irish Water, with five new appointments made today by Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Alex White TD.

The combined board of Irish Water parent company Ervia will now have responsibility for both the water utility and gas networks Ireland.

However, both companies will have their own separate boards to oversee day-to-day operations.

Irish Water's managing director John Tierney will remain a member of the company's own board, which will now have a slimmed-down membership of just four.

Mr White said: “Today’s appointments, which have been made under the new guidelines for appointments to state boards, will strengthen the expertise and experience of the Ervia Board."

An Ervia said: “The establishment of a single board governing Ervia Group and its two operating subsidiaries, Gas Networks Ireland and Irish Water brings clarity to the governance of this multi-utility company.

“This is a key step in the evolution of Ervia and will help the executive to deliver our ambitious and challenging plans for Ireland’s natural gas network and water services.”