Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For the sake of the broadcasting and recording services, I request that members ensure their mobile telephones are turned off completely. Apologies have been received from Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

The first part of today's meeting is to discuss with the Ombudsman the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008 in the committee's capacity as the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. The second part of the meeting will consider the Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2011 in the committee's capacity as the Joint Sub-Committee on the Ombudsman.

I welcome the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, and her team, Ms Bernie McNally, director, Office of the Ombudsman, and Mr. Tom Morgan, senior investigator, Office of the Ombudsman. The committee appreciates them taking time out again to discuss these issues.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If witnesses are directed by this committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled, thereafter, only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name, or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Finally, members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.