Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have decided to bring in the representatives of both the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, together to discuss the building energy regulations and the new draft building regulations. I welcome from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Dr. Brian Motherway, chief executive officer, and Mr. Tom Halpin, head of information. I also welcome from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Mr. Michael Layde, assistant secretary, housing and planning division; Mr. Aidan O'Connor, principal adviser, and Mr. Martin Vaughan, assistant principal officer in the architecture and building standards section. We will begin with an opening statement from Dr. Motherway, to be followed by one from Mr. Layde. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I 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 the joint committee. If they are directed by it at any stage to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are only entitled thereafter 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 person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The same well established practice of courtesy applies to members of the committee. I now invite Dr. Motherway to begin his presentation.