Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Good. This is an indication of Irish Water's continued willingness in that regard. As stated, the legislation only makes provision for one meeting per year and the representatives of Irish Water cannot be compelled to come before us again during a calendar year if they do not wish to do so. I am glad to hear that Mr. Tierney is interested in that issue.

Another issue, which has been mentioned in recent days, is that of commercial sensitivity. Will Mr. Tierney assure the committee that this issue will not be used as a barrier to the provision of information from Irish Water to this committee or any other body of the State into the future? As colleagues have pointed out, Irish Water has no competitors. It is a semi-State organisation which effectively has a monopoly and controls €11 billion worth of taxpayers' assets. Will Mr. Tierney give a commitment that commercial sensitivity will not be used as a barrier to our obtaining information into the future?