James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The outline for the meeting is that ComReg will account to the committee for the performance of its functions and the strategy statement 2017-2019 and then any current issues can be raised. I would like to welcome from ComReg Mr. Gerry Fahy, chairperson, Mr. Jeremy Godfrey, commissioner, and Mr. Kevin O'Brien, commissioner, and thank them for joining us. Their presentation has been circulated to members but they may wish to brief members on it.

I remind members to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode, as they can interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters as well as for web-streaming coverage. I draw witnesses' attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17 (2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected to the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name, or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submissions or opening statement made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. 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 House, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to me him or her identifiable.

The joint committee has an oversight role, rewritten into the Acts of the Oireachtas as well as Standing Orders, over the following independent regulators: the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; the Commission for Energy Regulation; and ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation, which is here today. The joint committee has had discussions with the OECD in relation to its role as an oversight body, which it intends to develop further on over the coming year. The committee intends to meet each regulator on an annual basis to review its performance and today we are meeting ComReg for the purposes mentioned, namely, accounting to the committee for the performance of its functions and the strategy statement 2017-2019 and to deal with any current issues.

I call Mr. Gerry Fahy.