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

We are joined by officials of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Reosurces to consider COM(2013)147, a proposal for regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high speed electronic communications networks. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Katherine Licken, Mr. Aidan Ryan and Mr. Eugene Dillon.

I wish to draw the attention of the witnesses 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 committee. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise the witnesses that any submission or opening statement they have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this 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 outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Katherine Licken to make her opening statement.