Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are joined by the chairman designate of Galway Harbour Company, Mr. Paul Carey, to discuss his role and views on the challenges facing the company. Members will be aware of the Government's decision of May 2011 to put new arrangements in place for the appointment of persons to State boards and bodies. The committee welcomes the opportunity to meet the chairman designate to hear his views. We trust this provides greater transparency to the process of the appointment to our State boards and bodies. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Carey to the meeting.

I wish to advise Mr. Carey that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and he or she continues to do so, that witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Mr. Carey is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and is asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, he 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. I advise him also that the opening statement he has submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website following this meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make legal 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.

I now invite Mr. Carey to make his opening remarks.