Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The committee is meeting to consider public petition No. P00027/12 from Mr. John O'Sullivan, concerning the Employment Appeals Tribunal process. The committee will deliberate on the general policy aspects of the process informed by the petitioner's experience rather than the specific details of Mr. O'Sullivan's individual case. The committee will take evidence from Mr. John O'Sullivan, the petitioner; Mr. John Douglas, Mandate general secretary; Ms Rhona Murphy, head of employment law services at IBEC; Mr. Loughlin Deegan, solicitor and senior adviser on rights and pensions, also from IBEC; Ms Esther Lynch, ICTU legal and legislative affairs officer; Mr. Vernon Hegarty, and Ms Deirdre Canty, SIPTU advocates; Mr. Niall McCutcheon, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, who has responsibility for the Workplace Relations Bill; Ms Elaine Cassidy, principal officer with responsibility for the Companies Bill; Mr. Padraig Dooley, principal officer, National Employment Rights Authority; Ms Frances Gaynor, assistant principal officer, Employment Appeals Tribunal; Mr. Enda Murphy, assistant principal officer, workplace relations liaison unit; Ms Dearbhail Nic Giolla Mhicíl, Department of Social Protection, who will answer questions about the operation of the Social Insurance Fund.

I thank everyone for their attendance. I remind everyone, including those in the Visitors Gallery, to ensure all mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even when in silent mode.

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 a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and witnesses are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or persons 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 that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. John O'Sullivan to make his opening statement to the committee.