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

The purpose of the meeting is to engage with Mr. Owen Keegan, chief executive, Dublin City Council, and his colleagues, Mr. Jim Keogan, executive manager of the council's planning department, and Mr. John Downey, administrative officer, to hear their response to the evidence members heard on Wednesday, 16 July, from the GAA and Aiken Promotions on the Garth Brooks concerts. I welcome Mr. Keegan, Mr. Keogan and Mr. Downey.
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. 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I invite Mr. Keegan to make his opening statement.