Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, guests and others to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely. It is not sufficient to leave them in silent mode, as they will interfere with the recording equipment.

The first item on our agenda is a discussion of the topic democratic legitimacy and accountability in the European Union. On behalf of the joint committee, I am delighted to welcome Mr. Francis Jacobs, head of office at the European Parliament Information Centre in Dublin. This is another in a series of discussions we are having on the future of the European Union. Today our focus is on the role of an ever-more assertive European Parliament in underpinning democratic legitimacy and accountability. As members know, the 2008 Lisbon treaty placed directly elected MEPs at the heart of the European Union's decision-making process. As the European Union shifts from crisis management to a more proactive approach, we will explore the role the European Parliament is playing in bolstering public confidence in the Union's capacity to deliver for its citizens through measures such as, for example, the youth guarantee initiative. This session with Mr. Jacobs gives us the opportunity to debate such issues.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, make charges against or criticise a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her easily identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular subject 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 an individual or an entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it easily identifiable.

I invite Mr. Jacobs to make his opening remarks.