John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I can tell you today, Deputy McDonald, that I had no hand, act or part in any of this. I was surprised and disappointed to get that letter. Second, while not speaking for the clerk, I am aware that he did not instigate this either. Therefore, I can only presume that there is another active section of the Oireachtas which is anxious that we would not do our work the way we have been doing it. I agree entirely with you, Deputy McDonald, and I would like to be proved wrong. There is an effort, however, being made to stall the work of this committee. That does not make for good governance in the State. It does not send out the right signals to people who come before us. We have gained considerably from people who have come before us wanting to explain their story. After this meeting, as I have said, I will discuss this letter with the clerk and take it up immediately with whoever is responsible. I intend to defend the right of this committee to its independence in terms of how it is viewed in the Dáil and, indeed, in the public.

In his letter Mr. Watt stated: "I would agree that the Committee of Public Accounts should have a role in examining these issues [this is relative to Irish Water] in this phase of the company’s development until it begins to operate on a fully commercial basis". I believe that is entirely reasonable. I think the members have acted correctly and wisely in relation to their work programme. I find that this letter going out is somewhat offensive and that some other entity in the Oireachtas would decide with greater authority that it had the power to do this.