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

I ask the members, witnesses and those in the Visitors' Gallery to turn off their telephones because the interference affects the sound quality of the transmission of the meeting. It applies particularly to those who leave their telephones on the desk in front of the microphone, which picks up the noise and means the proceedings cannot be transmitted properly. I ask members and witnesses to observe that request during the meeting.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor 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 163 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 of the 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.