David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The committee is resumed in public session. The purpose of today's meeting is to continue the committee's examination of the topic of recognition of Traveller ethnicity. I welcome Dr. Robbie McVeigh and Dr. Jim Mac Laughlin. I thank them for coming here today and for their assistance to the committee in its deliberations on this topic. The format of today's meeting is that they will be asked to make a brief opening statement of approximately five minutes' duration picking up their main points and then we will have a question and answer session. I ask everybody to turn off all mobile telephones because they interfere with the sound system here. That includes mine. It is not fair on the staff who must listen, etc.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of all witnesses to the position on privilege. Witnesses should note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Dr. Robbie McVeigh is on first and I call on him to make his opening statement.