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

The fifth set of witnesses to address the committee today is Mr. Neil Walker, head of energy and environment policy, Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, and Ms Jill Murray, Bord Gáis Energy. They are very welcome to the committee.

I wish to advise the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. Witnesses are directed to restrict their evidence to the subject matter of these proceedings and to respect parliamentary practice by not criticising or making charges against any person, persons or entity. Witnesses are asked to read the document circulated to them about privilege. I remind them not to read out their opening statements. These have already been distributed to members and will be taken as read. They have a maximum of five minutes to deliver their opening statements and when they reach this time I will inform them. I call on Mr. Walker to address the committee.