Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss aviation trends, air traffic control and drone activity with Eurocontrol. On behalf of the committee, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Philip Hughes, who is head of European aviation plans, co-operation and stakeholder support at Eurocontrol.

I will read a brief 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.

It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction. 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 be able to permit a member to participate where he or she is 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 any members partaking via Microsoft Teams to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contributions.

I invite Mr. Hughes to make his opening statement or we can take the statement as read and he can go through his slides.