Updated, 16.29

A dispute has emerged as to whether the new rules for appointments to state boards will apply to Irish Water.

The rules published yesterday will see most positions filled through the Public Appointments Service.

But it's been claimed that that commercial bodies like Ervia, Irish Water, Bord na Móna and Coillte will NOT be subject to the new rules.

Fianna Fáil's Sean Fleming says he's pointed out a loophole:

However the Government insists that Irish Water IS covered by the new guidelines.

The Department of Public Expenditure says semi-state companies like Irish Water and its parent Ervia WILL be subject to the new system, but that the Public Appointments Service will first have to work with the New Era agency, which has a legal responsibility for those companies.

However the guidelines published yesterday say New Era and the Public Appointments Service are to "make proposals" to Minister Howlin about how the semi-state companies will be treated.

It is silent about whether the other guidelines apply to them in the meantime.