Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody. This afternoon, we will discuss issues relating to quarries and deleterious materials. We are joined by Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, Ms Sarah Neary and Mr. John Wickham from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They are accompanied by Mr. Eoin McGrath of Geological Survey Ireland. We are also joined by Ms Geraldine Larkin, Mr. Enda McDonnell, Mr. Seán Balfe and Ms Yvonne Wylde from the National Standards Authority of Ireland. We are also joined by Ms Mairéad Phelan and Mr. Richard Butler from the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office. The witnesses are all very welcome. I thank them for their submissions, which they provided to the committee in advance. Before I ask them to make their opening statements, I will read a note on privilege.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. Those witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contributions to today's meeting. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy. It is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members and witnesses 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.