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

I welcome the delegates. I ask everybody to ensure mobile phones are switched off as they interfere with the transmission of the proceedings. Apologies have been received from Deputies Timmy Dooley, Helen McEntee and Michael Moynihan. Deputy Brendan Smith is attending in substitution for Deputy Michael Moynihan.

The meeting will be carried live on UPC channel 207, eVision channel 504 and Sky channel 574. The purpose of this meeting is to engage with the Monaghan anti-pylon committee in a discussion on the North-South interconnector. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Margaret Marron, Mr. Terry Lynch, Mr. Nigel Hillis and Ms Mary Marron.

I draw the witnesses' 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 the committee. However, if they are requested to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 today's proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that 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. Any submission or opening statement they have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website subsequent to the meeting. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Margaret Marron to make her opening statement.