Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will continue now with session three of our pre-legislative examination of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2012. This is part of a pre-scrutiny process allowing various groups and witnesses to present their ideas and views on how the legislation should progress. At the end of this process, the committee will make a series of recommendations to the Minister, Deputy Howlin, in preparation for the full publication of the Bill. The various submissions we have received from the groups that have come before us will be included in the committee's submission and will be published on the committee's website. Our report will not be an edited report but will include all comments and views of both members and witnesses.

I welcome Mr. Luke Bukha, Ms Josephine Bakaabatsile, Ms Patricia Murambinda and Mr. Joe Moore from Anti-Deportation Ireland. We will hear first a presentation by Mr. Bukha, following which there will be a question and answer session.

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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Bukha to make his opening comments.