Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In this part of our meeting the committee will engage with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to continue its detailed scrutiny of the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023. On behalf of the committee I welcome from the Department of Enterprise,Trade and Employment, Mr. Ronnie Downes, head of the trade division, and Mr. John Hughes, principal officer.

The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory - and we must be very careful about that as it is very important that defamatory bit-----