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

I remind members to turn off their mobile phone. We have received no apologies. We will now invite our witnesses in.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 wish to advise witnesses that any submission or opening statement made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting.

Members are reminded that under long standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or an official either by name, or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her or it identifiable.

I advise witnesses that any submission or opening statement they make to the committee will be published to 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 a person or body outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome our witnesses to the meeting today to engage with the joint committee on waste collection charges. I propose that the main witnesses will speak for no more than five minutes and if they wish to share their speaking time they may indicate that to me. That will be followed by a questions and answers sessions with our members.

Mr. Frank Conway, chairman of the household waste collection price monitoring unit, is joined by Mr. Kevin O'Donoghue, principal officer of the waste policy and resources efficiency division in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I invite Mr. Conway to make his opening statement.