Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Verona Murphy. I begin by welcoming witnesses and members to the meeting. While Covid-19 restrictions are receding, and while it is open to members and witnesses to attend meetings in person, I ask that they continue to use face coverings. When addressing the committee, face coverings can be removed. Members of the committee who are attending remotely must continue to do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee.

This morning, we engage with the officials from National Broadband Ireland, NBI, to examine the national broadband plan, NBP, expenditure and related matters in the context of the 2020 appropriation accounts, Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications. The meeting will be suspended for an hour at 12.30 p.m. When we resume at 1.30 p.m., we will engage with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, to examine the national broadband plan expenditure and related matters further.

NBI has been advised that the committee may wish to examine the following matters related to expenditure on the national broadband plan during the course of the engagement: the impact of the pandemic on delivery; NBI's financial structures; the current progress and timelines; subcontracting arrangements; lease and rental of infrastructure from other companies; and penalty clauses in the contract. We are joined in the committee room by the following officials from NBI: Mr. Peter Hendrick, CEO, Mr. T.J. Malone, chief executive officer of deployment, Ms Tara Collins, chief marketing officer, Mr. Barry Kelly, chief financial officer and Ms Jenny Fisher, chief legal officer. They are all very welcome. When we begin to engage, I will ask those who are attending remotely to mute themselves when not contributing, so that we do not pick up any background noise or feedback. As usual, I remind all those who are in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are on silent or are switched off.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House regarding references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. As the witnesses are within the precincts of Leinster House, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation for anything they say in the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that privilege is not abused. Therefore, if witness' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 218, that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or of a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies. Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the House or an official either by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The CEO, Mr. Hendrick, is very welcome. As is detailed in the letter of invitation, he has five minutes. I know he has a longer statement, which has been circulated to members. I ask that he keep within that timeframe.