Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everybody is welcome to the meeting. 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise delegates that any submission or opening statement they have forwarded to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting.

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 remind delegates and members to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting. Television coverage and web streaming of the proceedings are also adversely affected.

It is proposed that the main delegates speak for five minutes each. If they propose to share time with other speakers, they should indicate this at the start of their presentations. I am very conscious of the number of delegates. We have all received the opening submissions and members are up to speed on the presentations to be made. I would be grateful, therefore, if delegates remained conscious of the five-minute time allocation. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session with members whom I ask to wait until all of the presentations have been made before putting questions. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I invite the assistant secretary at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Mr. Michael Manley, to make his contribution.