John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to engage with the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors Ireland, APHCI, and the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, on the regulation of the installation of gas boilers. Following this engagement, we will meet CER representatives separately to discuss the cost of electricity and gas to consumers to establish why prices do not appear to have fallen in line with the decreases in the prices of crude oil and gas.

On behalf of the committee I welcome the delegates from APHCI: Mr. Sean Giffney, chairman, Mr. James Egan, secretary, and Mr. Crozier Deane. I welcome also the commissioners from the CER who will represent the organisation for this part of the meeting: Mr. Garrett Blaney, chairman, Mr. Paul McGowan and Ms Sheenagh Rooney. I also welcome Mr. Paul Tierney and Mr. Paul Byrne from the CER.

I wish draw to witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter to only 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise them that any submissions or opening statements they make to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. 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 make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Giffney to make his opening submission.