Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Before we begin, I remind members to turn off their mobile phones.

I wish to bring to everyone's attention to the fact that witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to a committee. This means that they have a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts. They may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by them outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from these proceedings.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to utterances of members participating online in the committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. Any attempt to do so will result in a member having his or her online access removed.

The purpose of today's meeting is our resumed discussion on the collection and recycling of farm plastics. The committee will hear from Deputy Ossian Smyth, Minister of State at the Departments of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Ms Bernie Kiely, principal officer at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. They are welcome to the meeting. The Minister of State's opening statement has been circulated to members. He has five minutes to present it, after which we will proceed to our questions and answers session.