Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. At the request of the broadcasting 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 completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode depending on their device. It is not sufficient to put phones in silent mode as they will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

No. 7 today is detailed scrutiny of Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018. I welcome to today's meeting Mr. Joseph Gilhooly, from Leitrim County Council; Dr. Tom Ryan, Mr. Noel Byrne and Mr. Darragh Page from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA; and, Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh and Mr. David Flynn from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 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 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.

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 now call on Mr. Gilhooly to make his opening statement.