Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session and will engage in detailed scrutiny of the Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016. Our second session today involves consideration of Deputy Sherlock's Bill on the prohibition of microplastics. This session will involve detailed scrutiny of the Bill. On behalf of the committee I welcome Deputy Sherlock to the meeting.

Before we proceed, I will give the notice on privilege again. Before we begin I draw 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 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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.

I now call on Deputy Sherlock to make his opening statement.