Chairman:

I welcome Mr. Oisín Coghlan, Mr. Charles Stanley-Smith, Mr. Andrew St. Ledger, Ms Cliona Sharkey and Professor John Sweeney of the Environmental Pillar.

Before we commence proceedings, I will begin with some formalities. I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We will publish all the witnesses' opening statements to our website but if they could try to keep their contributions to five minutes, I would appreciate it. We will get more benefit from the back and forth questioning. We will start with Mr. Oisín Coghlan. I invite him to make his opening statement.