John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again remind members, witnesses and those in the visitors gallery to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the proper transmission of the proceedings.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the provision within Standing Order 158 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits or objectives of such policy or policies.

I welcome Ms Geraldine Tallon, Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and invite her to introduce her officials and make her opening statement.