Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee I welcome the officials from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Ger Deering, assistant secretary, and Mr. Enda Falvey, assistant principal.

I remind members and our guests to switch off their mobile phones or turn them to aeroplane, safe or flight mode depending on their devices to ensure that mobile phone interference with broadcasting equipment is kept to a minimum. It is not enough to simply put phones on silent mode.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice or long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements.