Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I must go through some formalities before we commence and outline some necessary procedures with regard to the caution issued to witnesses referring to section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009. I propose that each witness be given a written version of this caution and I will read the shortened version. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. However, 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. Witnesses are directed to restrict their evidence to the subject matter of these proceedings and to respect the parliamentary practice of not criticising or make charges against any person, persons or entity. Witnesses are asked to read the document that has been circulated to them concerning privilege. Is this agreed? Agreed.

Members are fully aware 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I advise that I will not read this notice for each of the groups.

I will insist that members ask questions only and I will not allow long introductions or policy statements. There is no need for each member to thank each witness for coming and where members do this be advised that I will immediately intervene and move to the next member. Also, each member may speak on each section only once. Given our tight schedule today, we have no choice but to move quickly. We have no spare time to allow for delays or unnecessary commentary. We are here today to hear evidence from the experts and not to listen to ourselves. Accordingly, the time allocated for each section will be strictly adhered to and when the allocated time is reached consideration of that section will end regardless of any member who has not put questions. If one member takes too long that member will be put to the end of the queue in the next session.

The first group of witnesses from the Electricity Association of Ireland to address the committee are Mr. Owen Wilson, chief executive, Mr. David Manning, chairperson of the energy and environment policy committee and director of corporate affairs at SSE Ireland, Mr. John McNamara, company secretary and regulatory and commercial affairs manager at Bord na Móna Powergen, and Ms Deirdre O'Hara, regulation manager at Bord Gáis Éireann. I note Ms Troy was unable to attend.

I will not ask the witnesses to read their opening statements as they have been circulated. They might give a short commentary and then we will move to questions. Is it Mr. Wilson who will commence?