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

I extend on behalf of the committee a warm welcome to Mr. Tom Donnellan, Ms Anna-Marie Curry and Dr. John MacNamara from Bord na Móna. I also welcome from the ESB Mr. Jim Dollard, Mr. Peter O'Shea and Mr. Senan Colleran. From the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I welcome Mr. Brian Carroll, Ms Barbara Leeson and Mr. Michael Goodwin. From the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government I welcome Mr. Paul Benson, Mr. Seán Armstrong and Mr. Laurence Keating.

I advise the witnesses 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 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 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Donnellan of Bord na Móna to make his opening statement.