Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I made a proposal. If you were here on time you would have heard it. We are reducing the session by one hour. We will begin our meetings on the button at the time appointed. I am a prompt chairperson and I will be respectful to all people, but we will start bang on time. We have dealt with the matter Senator Burke raised and we are clear on our situation. I am not getting into a war of words with anyone.

Before we commence I remind witnesses and members of the position regarding privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make 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 call on Ms Jennifer Schweppe to make her opening remarks. Each witness has a maximum of ten minutes.