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

Before we begin our meeting, I remind members, witnesses and people in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality of the transmission of the proceedings.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give 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 House or an official 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 should refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits or the objectives of such policy or policies.

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