Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome representatives of Pavee Point for our discussion of the habitual residence condition: Ms Ronnie Fay, director, Ms Gabi F. Muntean, community development worker with the Roma project, and Ms Siobhan Curran, the Roma project co-ordinator. Apologies have been received from Ms Monika Makulova.

I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice 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, her or it identifiable. The opening statements the witnesses submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. 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. I invite Ms Fay to make her comments.