Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Michael Horgan, chairman designate of the Health and Safety Authority, and Mr. Martin O'Halloran, chief executive officer of the Health and Safety Authority.

I wish to advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Mr. Horgan to make his opening remarks.