Acting Chairman (Deputy Catherine Murphy):

I welcome Dr. Peter Doran and Mr. Fergal Mawe on behalf of Ceartas, Irish Lawyers for Human Rights.

Before we begin, witnesses should please note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed to restrict their evidence to the subject matter of these proceedings and to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against an person, persons or an entity. They are asked to read the document on privilege which has been circulated to them. I remind them not to read their opening statements which have been circulated to committee members.