Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Fourth Programme of Law Reform: Discussion with Law Reform Commission

10:20 am

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From the Law Reform Commission we are joined by Mr. Justice John Quirke, president, Ms Finola Flanagan, Ms Marie Baker, Mr. Donncha O'Connell, Mr. Tom O'Malley and Mr. Ray Byrne. They are all very welcome. They have come before us to outline the draft fourth programme of law reform which the commission intends to undertake in 2014 and 2015. The work of the commission is very useful and important.

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. However, 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 identifiable.

Members should also be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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 identifiable. I invite Mr. Justice Quirke to make his opening statement.

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