Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones, please, as they interfere with the recording equipment. I also remind members to sanitise their desk areas and seats when leaving the committee room.

We turn now to the main item on our agenda which is the consideration of the Covid-19 pandemic supports for the islands and rural communities. In this regard, I welcome the officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development who are joining us today, namely, Mr. William Parnell, assistant secretary of the Department, and Ms Sorcha de Brúch, principal officer. They are both very welcome.

It is no secret that Covid-19 and its fallout has disproportionately impacted rural communities, particularly our island communities. Tourism is just one sector that has been decimated and today's meeting will build upon the body of work which the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response carried out until its final report was published in October.

Water supply is one of the biggest issues affecting islanders in the context of Covid-19, enhanced hygiene requirements and the demand for water. The issue needs to be tackled by examining water services on our islands.

We will also explore the impact of Covid-19 on island communities, the progress of islands after the lifting of the travel restrictions, the services provided to island communities during the pandemic, and the vulnerability of island communities to the loss of those particular services. I recall one of the first crises I dealt with as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment was the damage to or lack of electricity supply to both Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin.

I remind members of the committee that they have absolute privilege in respect of statements made to either House of the Oireachtas or before the committee. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence that they are required to give to the committee. If, in the course of committee proceedings, 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 or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside this House, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Mr. Parnell to make his opening statement, which will be followed by questions and answers.