Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will consider the maintenance and adherence to the necessary standards of service to customers in the administration and distribution of water with delegates from Uisce Éireann and the Commission for Energy Regulation. From Uisce Éireann I welcome Mr. John Tierney, managing director; Mr. John Barry, programme director; Mr. John Dempsey, head of finance, and Mr. Jerry Grant. From the Commission for Energy Regulation I welcome Mr. Paul McGowan, commissioner; Mr. Garrett Blaney, commissioner; and Ms Cathy Manning, director.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and any document provided for the committee may be published on its website once the meeting has concluded. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
In compliance with the decision of the committee and the agreement of the Minister, Uisce Éireann is the newest Irish utility and its establishment and ongoing progress are watched by the public at large, not least by elected representatives. It is a major undertaking and a very good one. Many of us have been concerned and curious about issues in rolling out the metering project, the decision-making process around it and the efforts to set up this utility. There were serious concerns expressed earlier about outside expertise and I thank the delegates for their appearance at the meeting held in January. By and large, there was a good flow of information - no pun intended - between Uisce Éireann and the committee. In many ways, it satisfied much of the curiosity. The hallmark of this project is transparency and we are anxious to do everything we can to advance that concept.
A number of issues will be raised in respect of the establishment of the utility. There is a certain level of curiosity and people tend to presume when there is no information available. In so far as it can be established, we will deal with issues concerning pricing. We are aware that households are cash-strapped and anxious to establish that the commission and the board of Uisce Éireann are mindful of this in setting prices.
With regard to local authority staff now working with Uisce Éireann, I understand completely the service level agreements between trade unions and organisations. Some people do not understand this and do not want to. However, as a committee, we must be satisfied that people with the appropriate skills set from local authorities are doing exactly what it says on the tin. Irish Water is not in the public sector in the conventional sense, as it is a semi-State commercial company. There will always be issues relating to people working in the public sphere who then transfer to another area. In an era when employment is scarce, any variance in a switch in remuneration is like a red rag to a bull. It will be beneficial to the committee and the board of Uisce Éireann to establish this.
We will engage in a robust question and answer session after the opening statements and I believe all members will offer to speak. I now invite Mr. Tierney to speak to the committee.