John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to turn off their mobile telephones because interference from the telephones affects the sound quality of the transmission of the meeting. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 nor make charges against any person(s) or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the provision within Standing Order 163 that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government, or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policy. I welcome Ms Josephine Feehily of the Revenue Commissioners and ask her to introduce her officials.