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

Thank you, Mr. Stevenson and Mr. McCaughey, for the effort you have taken to come here and share your unique expertise on pioneering climate change legislation in the Scottish Parliament. We greatly appreciate the worthwhile exchange.

Our fifth set of witnesses this afternoon are from An Taisce. I would like to welcome Mr. James Nix, policy director, Mr. Andrew Jackson, Mr. Charles Stanley Smith and Ms Julia Lubbock. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Witnesses are asked to read a document which has been circulated to them concerning privilege. I remind you not to read out your opening statement. This has already been circulated to committee members and it will be taken as read. You have a maximum of five minutes to make your opening contribution, and then we will revert to committee members for questions.