Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses in the room and online. We are joined in person by Dr. Eimear Cotter and Ms Mary Gurrie of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and we are joined on video by Ms Marie O'Connor and Dr. Matthew Craig, also of the EPA, and by Ms Sinead O'Brien, Dr. Elaine McGoff, Mr. John Kenny and Dr. Kieran Craven from Sustainable Water Networks Ireland, SWAN. Members have been circulated with the opening statements, as well as a more detailed briefing note. I first will ask the EPA to make its opening statement, followed by SWAN, and members will then be invited to address their questions. If members confine their questions to five minutes in the first round, we will be able to go around a second time. The five minutes is for asking the questions and receiving the answer. I think we will be able to get round for a second round of questions.

Witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. They are expected not to abuse this privilege, however, and it is my duty as Chair to ensure this privilege is not abused. If witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does.

Witnesses 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 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. The opening statements submitted to the committee will be posted on the committee website after this meeting.

I invite the EPA to make its opening statement.