Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Rodney Doyle and Mr. Michael Mahon from EirGrid; Mr. Stephen Wheeler from SSE Ireland; Mr. Denis O'Sullivan from Gas Networks Ireland; and their colleagues who have accompanied them today. The presentations the organisations made to the committee in 2017 were among the most interesting we heard. The potential impact of Brexit on the security of energy supply for the island of Ireland remains one of our greatest concerns.

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

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 select committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements. We will then take questions and comments from members.