Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 directed by the committee 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 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. The opening statements submitted to the committee will 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 make him or her identifiable.

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services witnesses and those in the Public Gallery are asked to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are switched off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their device, and not just to silent.

Today's meeting will consider the role of the regulators and compliance with European law, and to assist us in our discussion I am pleased to welcome from the European Commission, Directorate on the Environment, Mr. Aurel Ciobanu Dordea; Mr. Gerry Kiely and Mr. Jorge Rodríguez Romero; from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Ms Laura Burke, Mr. Gerard O'Leary and Mr. David Flynn; from the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, Dr. Paul McGowan, commissioner, and Ms Sheenagh Rooney; from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Ms Maria Graham and Mr. Pat Duggan. The legal adviser for Sinn Féin is Mr. Matthias Kelly Queen's Counsel and for Fianna Fáil, Mr. Conleth Bradley, Senior Counsel.

We will begin with questions from the committee to the witnesses.