Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We will now deal with item No. 6 on our agenda, that is the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill 2020. We are joined by Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, assistant secretary, and by Ms Emer Connolly, principal officer, at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Members have received a copy of the opening statement, the general scheme of the Bill and an information note. I welcome the officials from the Department. Once they have made their opening statement I will invite members to ask questions.

Before we begin, I wish to draw attention 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's web page after this meeting. 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 or her identifiable.

I now invite the witnesses to make their opening statement on behalf of the Department.