Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received this morning from Senator Gerard P. Craughwell, who will be substituted for by Senator Billy Lawless. I welcome everybody this morning and ask those present to please turn off their mobile phones or switch them to airplane mode at this stage. Unfortunately, silent mode is not good enough as it interferes with communications. We have a really busy agenda covering a range of topics but we will deal first with energy matters. I am delighted to welcome representatives from EirGrid, SSE Airtricity Ireland and Gas Networks Ireland who will each make a presentation, after which we will have a detailed discussion with questions and answers. The order agreed is that Ms Madden will go first, followed by Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Doyle, respectively.

Before inviting Ms Madden to address the committee, 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. 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. 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.

I will invite the witnesses in sequence to make their ten minute presentations before inviting questions and comments from Senators. I will come back to the witnesses then for replies.