Electricity Regulation Act, 1999

Public hearings of Commission.

21.—(1) Where the Commission proposes to hold a public hearing under section 20 (7) (b) it shall issue a notice stating—

(a) the date (being not less than 28 days from the date of giving notice) on which it is intended to hold the hearing, and

(b) the location at which it is intended to hold the hearing.

(2) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in a newspaper circulating in the State, and

(b) by serving the notice on the holder of the licence or authorisation concerned and any persons by whom objections or representations were made in the period referred to in section 20 (2) (c).

(3) All hearing of the Commission shall be open to members of the public and may be held before the Commission or any other person authorised by the Commission to hold such a hearing and references to the Commission in subsection (4) shall include references to any other person so authorised.

(4) At a public hearing held for the purposes of this section—

(a) those persons by whom objections or representations were made in the period referred to in section 20 (2) (c) may be heard,

(b) the Commission may assess the interest of any person who applies to be a party to the hearing and may admit or exclude them for stated reasons, and

(c) the Commission may administer oaths, issue notices, issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, accounts, papers, records, documents and material and take and receive evidence.

(5) The Commission may, following consultation with the Minister, make rules concerning the practice and procedures to be adopted at such public hearings.

(6) A witness before a public hearing shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he or she were a witness before the High Court.