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

The next item is detailed scrutiny of the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017. I welcome Mr. Michael Manley, assistant secretary, Mr. Eamonn Confrey, principal officer, and Mr. Paul Ahern, assistant principal officer, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Mr. Jim Gannon, chief executive officer, CEO, and Mr. Fergus Sharkey, head of the department, business and the public sector, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Mr. Paul Kenny, CEO, Tipperary Energy Agency; and Ms Kate Ruddock, deputy director, Friends of the Earth Ireland.

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 on 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. Any submission or opening statement made to the committee will 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 a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system.

Witness will be invited to make an opening statement. Each statement should take no more than five minutes. I will indicate when four minutes have elapsed. I invite Mr. Manley to make his opening statement.