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

The purpose of this part of this meeting is to engage with the chairperson designate of the ESB, Ms Ellvena Graham, to discuss the approach she proposes to take if and when appointed to the role of chairman and her views on the challenges currently facing that body. By now, we are all very well aware of the Government decision in May 2011 that put new arrangements in place for the appointment of persons to State boards and bodies. Reference to this arrangement is made in the guidelines of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on appointments to State boards of November 2014. The committee welcomes the opportunity to meet the chairperson designate in public session to hear her views. We trust that this provides greater transparency in the process of appointment to our State boards and bodies. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Graham.

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. If witnesses are directed by the Chairman 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. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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. Any submission or opening statements witnesses have made to the committee will be published on the committee website after 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 or persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Graham to make her opening statement.