Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are continuing our engagement with broadband providers. I remind members and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. I welcome Mr. Marcus Matthews, managing director of the Regional Internet Service Providers Association, and thank him for appearing before the committee. We have met officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to discuss the broadband issue and will meet them again. As Members of the Oireachtas, we are not experts in the area and, therefore, we have taken the opportunity to seek expertise. People who work in the sector, including Mr. Matthews, have agreed to appear voluntarily before the committee to provide some information and background. We are present to listen and learn in order that when we revert to the Department, we will be better informed on the topic, and that is the purpose of the meeting. Mr. Matthews is present not as a witness to be cross-examined but rather to help the committee with its work.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of that evidence. Witnesses 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 invite Mr. Matthews to make his opening statement.