Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now consider the current roles, duties and responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency with particular reference to its monitoring and enforcement of licences at industrial facilities. I welcome Ms Laura Burke, who is the director general of the agency; Mr. Dara Lynott, who is the deputy director general of the agency's office of climate, licensing and resource use; Mr. Gerard O'Leary, who is the director of the agency's office of environmental enforcement; and Dr. Ann McGarry, who is the director of the agency's office of radiological protection.
I wish to draw their attention to the fact 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. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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. They 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 also wish to advise them that their opening statement and any other documentation they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this 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 him or her identifiable.

Before the delegates from the Environmental Protection Agency addresses the committee, I wish to draw Ms Burke's attention to a number of issues I would like her to address. How has the agency's merger with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland worked out and what benefits have accrued from it? Has the agency adopted any new approach to radiological protection or does it intend to? How does the agency assess the benefits and risks before issuing licences or permits in relation to GMOs? How does the agency envisage its future role in the protection of water resources and how does it envisage its dealings and relationship with Uisce Éireann in this regard? Can Ms Burke comment specifically on the recent report on climate change and the need for urgent action? Can she comment on the agency's current research programme into the environmental impact of fracking? Has Ms Burke any views on the potential impact and risk, if any, to Ireland of the proposed Hinkley Point nuclear power plant in Britain? Lastly, she might also comment on the agency's policy of enforcement and how it decides on and pursues prosecutions. I call on the Environmental Protection Agency to deliver its opening statement.