Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome representatives from the Good Energies Alliance (Ireland) who are here to brief the committee on fracking. I welcome Dr. Aedín McLoughlin, Mr. Liam Breslin, Mr. Eddie Mitchell and Ms Anais Gerbaud. I wish to draw attention to the fact 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 this committee.

However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity, by name or in such as way as to make him or her identifiable. The opening statements the witnesses have submitted 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 or persons outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.