Taoiseach has ‘every confidence’ in Irish Water chief John Tierney

The Taoiseach today expressed confidence in Irish Water managing director John Tierney as the issue of the introduction of water charges continues to dominate political discussion.

“I have every confidence that John Tierney can do his job, every confidence...,” he said in the Dáil today. The Taoiseach said he was aware of his long service to the public in general.

Mr Tierney sits on the board in his capacity as managing director of Irish Water, a position he was appointed to in July 2013. He was previously city manager in Dublin and Galway, and county manager in Fingal County Council.

Mr Kenny’s endorsement of Mr Tierney is in contrast to the failure of a number of Ministers to express confidence in him in recent days.

Independent TD Mick Wallace remarked: “Taoiseach, your 100 per cent confidence in John Tierney reminds me of your 100 per cent confidence in Mr [ALAN]Shatter.”

Earlier Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused Mr Kenny of undermining Mr Tierney in "a shabby and sleeveen way".

Mr Kenny said the Government recognised that there were legitimate areas of public concern which it would act on.

Mr Kenny insisted that Irish Water would not be privatised. He also said it was not a case of a callout charge of €188 to fix suspected water leaks being endorsed. "I have no idea where that came from," he added. "The regulator may be addressing that at the Oireachtas committee today."

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the Taoiseach had told him earlier this month that no bonus would be paid to the staff of Irish Water. Irish Water has defended its bonus payment scheme after it emerged that some senior managers at the company can earn a 19 per cent top-up on their salary . The company’s wage structure includes a performance-related payment for staff and those rated “need improvement” are still entitled to a bonus of between 1.5 per cent and 9 per cent of their salary, depending on grade. Senior management whose work “far exceeds expectations” will receive a 19 per cent bonus.

The Cabinet agreed earlier today that a communications revamp at Irish Water was necessary. This morning’s Cabinet meeting said responsibility for delivering the utility’s messages would remain with Irish Water rather than the Government. The Cabinet also discussed the need for a better explanation of the need for the utility.

The chairman of the Commission for Energy regulation which regulates Irish Water was appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment this afternoon to discuss water charges. Garrett Blaney was answering questions on how the charges were set, how prices will be structured, the free allowance and the quality of the water services provided to Irish households.

Mr Tierney was facing a crucial board meeting today as his position with the new semi-State company comes under increasing pressure. The Irish Times understands unofficial soundings were made about Mr Tierney's position since the weekend, and ahead of a meeting of the board of Ervia, renamed from Bord Gáis, Irish Water's parent company.

A spokeswoman for Ervia said Rose Hynes, the chairwoman, and Michael McNicholas, the chief executive, would not comment on whether they were happy with the performance of Irish Water or Mr Tierney, claiming it was standard practice not to offer such comments.

Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen said earlier today the public would not buy change at the top of Irish Water as a means of ending the controversy that has built up around the semi-State firm.

Mr Cowen, the party’s environment spokesman, said the water charges should be suspended pending a review of the role and performance of Irish Water.

He said people in Government circles appeared to think the Irish Water debacle could be resolved by throwing Mr Tierney, his management and board “under the bus”.

“I won’t buy it, the people won’t buy it,” he said.

Asked if he thought Mr Tierney’s position should be in peril, Mr Cowen said that after a review his moving on could be part of the solution but it is not part of the solution today.

“John Tierney and his board are dancing to the tune of this Government,” he added.

The party’s motion calls for a review of the Irish Water funding model, for it to provide greater accountability to the Oireachtas, a commitment that it or any vehicle used as a charging mechanism will not be privatised in the future and for the establishment of an ability to pay clause.