Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Kehoe. Deputy Martin Browne will be substituting for Deputy Mythen. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones.

I bring to the attention of witnesses that when giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means witnesses will have full defence in any defamation action arising from anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair’s direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and I remind them of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting where their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members should be mindful when contributing that there can be no such assurance in respect of participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts.

The purpose of today's meeting is to undertake an examination of the 2022 water quality monitoring report of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, on nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in Irish waters. In the first session, the committee will hear from representatives of the EPA: Dr. Eimear Cotter, director of the office of evidence and assessment; Ms Mary Gurrie, programme manager of the office of evidence and assessment; and Dr. Jenny Deakin, senior scientist at the office of evidence and assessment. They are all very welcome to the meeting. Copies of the EPA's opening statement have been circulated to members and will be taken as read. The witnesses may make a five-minute presentation, after which we will move to a question-and-answer session.