John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound equipment and the transmission of proceedings. Following last week's meeting, complaints were again received from those responsible for broadcasting proceedings and people who viewed those proceedings to the effect that there was bad interference on sound from mobile phones.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the Houses, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind Members of the provision within Standing Order 163 that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Mr. David Cooney, Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and ask him to introduce his officials.