Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The committee will consider two petitions on unauthorised developments on the River Shannon, namely, 9/21, in the name of Mr. Michael Barrett, and 23/21 in the name of Mr. Jamie Forde Kelly. Unfortunately, Mr. Forde Kelly cannot be with us. I am glad to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Barrett who is accompanied by Mr. Jack O'Sullivan, an experienced environmental scientist, and Mr. Conor Dowling-Linehan.

This committee considers petitions on matters of public concern or interest in relation to the Houses legislative powers or issues of public policy. As these petitions deal with local or regional matters, or matters that are more appropriate to a regulatory public body or body established for the purpose of redress, the committee is to be sure that the petitioners have used all available avenues of appeal or redress. However, it would not be necessary for petitioners to go into great detail about what happened.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish their opening statements and submissions on the committee website. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that our witnesses should make their opening statement for approximately ten minutes. We will then have questions and comments from members. Each member will have five minutes. Members may speak more than once.

I invite Mr. Barrett to make his opening statement. He will be followed by Mr. Jack O'Sullivan.