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

We will consider the matter of water tariff principles and proposals with representatives of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, from which I welcome Mr. Garrett Blaney, chairperson; Mr. Paul McGowan, commissioner; Ms Aoife MacEvilly, commissioner; Ms Cathy Mannion, director; Ms Bríd O'Donovan and Ms Aoife Crowe.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give the joint committee. However, 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise them that the opening statement and any documentation they provide 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 either by name or in such a way as to him or her identifiable.
The issue we are discussing, the water tariffs Uisce Éireann is putting in place, is a source of serious concern for everybody in the country. People are worried about their ability to pay and the fairness of the charges being imposed. I empathise with them and hope this discussion can help to alleviate their concerns in some way. Other issues concerning Uisce Éireann have been raised in the past week. Although they are important and must be addressed, I ask members to stay within the parameters of the issue to be discussed - the water tariffs to be charged. The other issues will be addressed in due course.
We intend to invite representatives of the board of Ervia to appear before the committee in the near future to address the issues of the tariffs, governance, management within Uisce Éireann and bonuses. That is a job of work to be done, for which beidh lá eile. We will issue the invitation when the new board which will be an amalgamation of the boards of the former Bord Gáis and Uisce Éireann has been announced. We expect this to occur next month.
I now call on the Commission for Energy Regulation to deliver its opening statement.