Chairman:

And the thought process. We are going to discuss today the Lower Lee (Cork city) flood relief scheme. Inniu déanfaimid plé ar scéim maolú tuile an Laoi íochtarach Chathair Corcaigh. I welcome all our guests and witnesses here to the meeting and thank them for travelling from Cork in the circumstances. We appreciate it and look forward to their statements. In attendance from the Save Cork City group are Mr. John Hegarty and Ms Catherine Kirwan. From the Office of Public Works are Mr. John Sydenham, commissioner, and Mr. Ezra MacManamon. Also present is Mr. Ken Leahy from Arup, consulting engineers.

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 respect of 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 statements 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 the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Leanfaimid ar aghaidh ar dtús le Mr. John Hegarty agus Ms Catherine Kirwan.