The Uisce Éireann Draft Strategic plan 2050 was published for public consultation in May 2024. The Strategic Plan will inform the future development of water services across the Ireland to 2050, in line with the net-zero emissions commitment made by the Government. When Uisce Éireann (UÉ), was created in 2014 it was against a background of a significant and prolonged lack of investment in water services stretching back almost a century. Water services were funded directly through the Exchequer and even in good economic times insufficient money was invested to provide and maintain water services infrastructure. During recessionary times investment was curtailed and assets left to deteriorate to a point where they were unfit for purpose. In 2014, based on available data the investment required to bring water services assets to a basic level of fitness was estimated to require an investment of €25bn.That figure has substantially increased over the last 10 years. The draft Strategic Plan describes the need to address historic underfunding of water services and the requirement for significant investment to provide services for a growing population and an expanding economy. In this document, the Academy examines the draft strategy and makes recommendations on how it could be strengthened.