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

Before we begin, I ask members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones which affect the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are thereafter entitled to only 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 163 that the committee should 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 Tallon, Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and invite her to introduce her officials.