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

The purpose of this meeting is to engage with Mr. Owen Keegan, chief executive officer of Dublin City Council, and with Mr. Jim Keogan, executive manager of the council's planning department, in order to discuss the council's role as the event licensing authority for concerts, particularly in the case of the Garth Brooks concerts. Mr. John Downey from Dublin City Council is also in attendance.
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 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 or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submission or opening statement they have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I call on Mr. Keegan to make his opening statement.