Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, Members and visitors in the Public Gallery are asked to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their device. It is not sufficient to only put the phone on silent mode as this would maintain a level of interference in the broadcasting system.

We now move to detailed scrutiny of the Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018, in respect of which I welcome Deputy Martin Kenny.

In accordance with procedure I am required to draw the attention of attendees to the fact that 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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

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, her or it identifiable.

I now invite Deputy Martin Kenny to make his opening statement.