John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Katherine Licken, Mr. Dave Hanley, Mr. Eugene Dillon and Mr. Aidan Ryan from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Mr. Kevin O'Brien and Mr. Bobby Hannon from the Commission of Communications Regulation, ComReg. They will enlighten us on the implications for Ireland of the adoption of COM (2013) 627 concerning the European single market for electronics communications.

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. However, 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 person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise witnesses that any submission or opening statement submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Licken to make her opening remarks.