Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe of flight mode. It is not sufficient to just put phones on silent mode as that will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

From the Environmental Protection Agency I welcome to today's meeting, Dr. Tom Ryan, Dr. Michelle Minihan and Mr. Andy Fanning. I am sorry that we are not meeting under happier circumstances, as was the case when the meeting was scheduled.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this 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 nor make charges against any person, persons, or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call Dr. Ryan to make his opening statement.