Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will seamlessly move on from Senator Ó Murchú's point and he nailed it in pointing out that a very full and frank communication of all these issues previously would have obviated the need for a hearing such as this. I hope Mr. Tierney and his colleagues would admit that public confidence in Irish Water is crucial to its legitimacy, particularly when we are attempting to seek resources from the public to operate a public utility. It is very welcome that a public utility, owned by the Irish people and answerable to the Oireachtas, is now in operation, but Irish Water has not got off to a good start in the minds of members of the public because of the farrago over the last few days.
As a TD, a member of this committee and of the Committee of Public Accounts, and as a citizen, I find it offensive that the type of information we are discussing here this afternoon had to be extracted from Mr. Tierney in an interview with RTE's Sean O'Rourke last week. I find that appalling. In that regard, it is quite clear to this committee and to the wider general public that the modus operandiof Irish Water needs to change if it is to gain public confidence and acquire the legitimacy that it needs. I am confident that can happen but it can only happen if Irish Water learns lessons. My fundamental question to Mr. Tierney is what lessons has he learned over the last week and what lessons has Irish Water learned over the last week in terms of generating public confidence and in terms of its obligation to the Irish people as a public utility wholly owned by the Irish people?
I have a few more questions. There has been much debate in recent days about the fact that, as we speak, Irish Water is exempt from the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. We are all of the view that this needs to change. That Act was essentially reviewed in recent months and legislation in this respect is currently going through the Oireachtas. Can Mr. Tierney confirm whether Irish Water had any function whatsoever in terms of communicating with the Department? I would like to hear his view on whether the organisation should be exempt or otherwise from the scope of the freedom of information legislation.
I ask Mr. Tierney to put on record his salary. As I understand from public commentary, it is €50,000 below the pay ceiling for those in commercial State-companies. Can Mr. Tierney put on record also whether he, any of his colleagues or any full-time staff member, wholetime equivalent, in Uisce Éireann has received any bonus payments last year or whether any bonus payments would be expected as part of their contract for next year or any subsequent years?
We are dealing with fixed price contracts awarded to service providers which is a positive development. Related to that, I ask the witnesses whether those contracts provide for any sanctions or penalties where there are cost overruns or where elements of contracts fail to be delivered on time or within budget?