John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The first session is a discussion with Chambers Ireland on its alternative ten point plan. I welcome Mr. Ian Talbot, chief executive, and Mr. Sean Murphy, deputy chief executive, to the meeting to discuss the plan.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they 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 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Talbot to make his presentation on Chambers Ireland's alternative ten point plan. After that we will take questions from members of the committee.