Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Duncan Smith and Senator Jerry Buttimer. The purpose of the meeting today is to engage with officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and representatives from the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, as part of pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the communications regulation (enforcement) Bill. On behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome from the Department, Mr. Eamonn Confrey, principal officer, from the telecommunications and policy regulation division; Ms Megan Skelly, assistant principal, from the telecommunications and policy regulation division; Mr. Mervyn Hickey, seconded senior adviser, from the telecommunications and policy regulation division; and Mr. Joseph Stephens, principal officer and head of engagement, from the National Cyber Security Centre, NCSC. From ComReg, I welcome Mr. Robert Mourik, chairman and commissioner; commissioner Garrett Blaney, who is attending online; Ms Barbara Delaney, director of retail and consumer services; and Ms Caroline Dee-Brown, general counsel and director of legal services. Our witnesses are all very welcome and I apologise once again for the slight delay.

I will read a note on privilege. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, 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 who is physically present does. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should be mindful of domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence they give.

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 remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts of Leinster House will be asked reluctantly to leave the meeting. In this regard, I would ask any member partaking via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting, that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members and all those in attendance in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Masks should be worn at all times during the meeting, except when speaking.

I call Mr. Confrey to make his opening statement.