John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Mindy O'Brien, co-ordinator of VOICE Ireland, and Mr. Oisín Coghlan, executive director of Friends of the Earth, who will be making a pre-budget submission. Before we begin, I remind witnesses and members to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting of the meeting. I bring to the attention of witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence that they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected to the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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. Members are reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on or criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Ms O'Brien to make her opening submission.