Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Níl aon leithscéalta faighte ó éinne. Ag tús an chruinnithe, ba mhaith liom iarraidh ar gach duine a ngutháin a mhúchadh. I would like to ask all members and participants to extinguish their phones as they disturb the recording services.

Inniu, ar dtús déanfaimid plé ar oidhreacht nádúrtha na hÉireann a chaomhnú idir flora, fauna agus gnáthóga. We will now consider the issue of preserving Ireland's national heritage, its fauna, flora and unique habitats. Cuirim fáilte roimh Mr. Michael Starrett, chief executive officer, Ms Beatrice Kelly, head of research, and Mr. Michael O'Brien, head of business, representing the Heritage Council; Mr. Ian Lumley and Mr. Phil Kearney, representing An Taisce; and Liam Ó Cuinneagáin Uasal agus Bernardín Nic Giolla Phádraig Uasal ó Oideas Gael.

Sula dtosnóimid ar a bhfianaise, ba mhaith liom na finnéithe a chur ar a n-aird go bhfuil, de bhua alt 17(2)(l) den Acht um Chlúmhilleadh 2009, finnéithe faoi chosaint ag lán-phribhléid maidir leis an bhfianaise a thugann siad don choiste seo. Má ordaíonn an coiste do na finnéithe ámh éirí as fianaise a thabhairt i leith ní áirithe agus má leanann siad dá tabhairt, níl siad i dteideal tar éis sin ach pribhléid cháilithe i leith na fianaise acu. Ordaítear dóibh nach dtabharfar ach fianaise a bhaineann le hábhar na n-imeachtaí seo agus fiafraítear dóibh cleachtadh parlaiminte a urraimiú nach chóir, más féidir, daoine ná eintiteas a cháineadh ná líomhaintí a dhéanamh ina n-aghaidh, ina ainm, ina hainm nó ina n-ainmneacha ar shlí ar bhféadfaí iad a aithint. Ba mhaith liom iad a chur ar an eolas go ndéanfar na ráiteas tionscnaimh a chuireann siad faoi bhráid an choiste a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh ghréasáin an choiste tar éis an chruinnithe seo. Meabhraítear do chomhaltaí an cleachtadh parlaiminte atá ann le fada nár chóir dóibh tuairimí a thabhairt maidir le duine atá taobh amuigh de na Tithe, nó le hoifigeach, ina ainm nó ina hainm ar shlí ina bhféadfaí é nó í a aithint.

Before I ask the witnesses to address the committee, I wish to draw their 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 directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and any other documents the witnesses have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after this meeting. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

To commence with our discussion, I invite Mr. Starrett to make his presentation.