John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is a discussion with Mr. Pat Hickey and Mr. William O'Brien of the Olympic Council of Ireland on the 2012 Olympic Games and with Mr. Kieran Mulvey and Mr. John Treacy on the disbursement of funding to sporting organisations. On behalf of the committee, I welcome all of the delegates to the meeting.

Before commencing, 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 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 advise them also that their submissions and opening statements will be published on the committee's website following this meeting.

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.

I now invite Mr. Hickey to make his opening statement.