Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Members and visitors in the Public Gallery are asked to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are turned off completely or on airplane or flight mode. It is not sufficient to turn phones onto silent mode as this maintains a level of interference in the broadcasting system.

No. 5 is an update on developments in the water sector. On behalf of the committee, I welcome officials from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, Mr. Eamonn Waters and Mr. Colin Byrne; the representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Dr. Tom Ryan, Mr. Darragh Page and Mr. Andy Fanning; and from Irish Water, Mr. Eamon Gallen and Mr. Michael O'Leary.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

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 make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Ó Coigligh to make his opening statement.