Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is for the joint committee to receive a quarterly update on matters relating to the Minister of State's remit. We are joined by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Jack Chambers, and his officials. I welcome the Minister of State. I think it his first meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications.

Before I ask the Minister of State to deliver his opening statement I will read the note on privilege. 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 a statement is potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue such remarks. Compliance with an such direction is imperative.

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 they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings.

I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members partaking via Microsoft Teams to confirm, prior to making their contributions, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. If attending in the committee room, members are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I invite the Minister of State to make his opening remarks.