Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I propose that we now resume in public session. The committee is now sitting in public session in its capacity as the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. We are dealing with petition No. 00002/2015 submitted by Mr. Con O'Leary. It is a discussion with officials from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and officials from Irish Water about the fitting of meter boxes in a driveway with car access. I ask all present to be careful with their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system.

We are pleased to welcome today from Irish Water, Mr. Jerry Grant, head of asset management; Mr. Kevin McSherry, capital delivery specific projects manager; Mr. Kevin Murray, metering technology and solutions specialist; from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Aidan O'Connor, principal adviser, architecture and building standards section; and Mr. Martin Vaughan, assistant principal. I welcome the witnesses here today and thank them for forwarding their presentations, which have been circulated to the members. Members will be aware that this issue arose out of petition No. 00002/2015, which relates to the fitting of inappropriate water meter boxes, according to the petitioner, in areas that are being accessed by vehicles. The petitioner, Mr. Con O'Leary, claims that the companies installing water meter boxes on behalf of Irish Water are installing grade C boxes whereas they should be using grade B boxes. He claims that this is not in compliance with the Department of Environment circular letter BC6/2009, which states: "The performance specification for covers and frames to services in footpaths, including footpaths in private housing estates, is determined on the basis that such areas are subject to occasional traffic and 'wheel loading'." The circular goes onto refer to the Department's publication, recommendations for site development works and housing areas which requires the use of a class B 125 product on footpaths and also advises that local authorities should ensure compliance when inspecting and procuring works. The petitioner is calling for a review to establish that this is the case and that plans be put in place to prevent this from recurring.

There has been much debate and public disquiet surrounding the establishment of the utility and the operations of both the Department and Irish Water over the past two years and I believe this committee can afford an opportunity to explore the issues raised in this petition. I hope, if nothing else, to give clarity to householders and members of the public.

I must inform you that 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 committee. If the witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and the witness continues to do so, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I now invite Mr. Grant to make his presentation. This will be followed by Mr. O'Connor and we will then move to questions and answers.