Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as they affect the sound quality of the recording. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who is accompanied today by Mr. Ed Hearne and Mr. John Kinnane, both principal officers from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Minister knows, the committee has requested a meeting with him and senior officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to discuss matters relating to the national broadband plan, particularly with reference to the impact on commitments in the capital programme. I thank the Minister for making himself available to meet the committee at short notice and we appreciate that. We should also note that the Minister will engage with us separately on the local property tax. We will have a session on that topic later but the current engagement relates to the national broadband plan. The Minister will discuss local property tax with us on 11 June.

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 continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of the evidence. Witnesses are also 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 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.

With that done, I ask the Minister to make his opening statement.