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

This meeting will be in public session only. We will deal with the minutes of the previous meeting and outstanding correspondence at our next meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.
We will now consider with our witnesses the generation and use of electricity in Ireland and the potential export of surplus electricity to the United Kingdom. I welcome Mr. Tim Cowhig, chief executive officer, Mr. Kevin O'Donovan, chief development officer, Mr. Peter Harte, chief technology officer, and Mr. Tim Ryan, all of whom are from Element Power. I welcome Mr. Gabriel D'Arcy, chief executive, Mr. John Reilly, Mr. Michael Barry and Mr. Gerry Ryan, head of land and property and group secretary, all of whom represent Bord na Móna, and also Mr. Patrick Swords, Mr. Joseph Caulfield, Mr. Ultan Murphy and Ms Agnes Doolan, who are representing Turn 180. I thank them all for attending. I propose that we hear the opening statements of the witnesses in the order I announced them. Is that agreed? Agreed.
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 joint committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and any document provided for the committee may be published on its website once the meeting has concluded. 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Witnesses should speak directly through the Chair and not to one another. Members should be courteous and show respect for all viewpoints expressed today and respond in an appropriate manner.
I invite Mr. Tim Cowhig to address the committee on behalf of Element Power.