Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We move to a discussion on the report, Time To Go, by the National Youth Council of Ireland, NCYI, which was launched in May. I welcome the delegates, Ms Marie-Claire McAleer, senior research and policy officer, NYCI, who is joined by her colleagues, Mr. James Doorley and Ms Mary Cunningham, and I thank them for attending. This annual report is very timely as there has been much discussion in recent weeks on this topic. In private session the committee discussed how we might take on this topic in general and read other related reports, so it is good to have this discussion.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and you continue to do so you are entitled thereafter to only a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter is to be given and are asked to respect parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible you should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her 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 Houses, or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Ms McAleer to make her presentation.