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

Before commencing, I remind witnesses of the position on privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to do so they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that where possible they should not criticise of make charges against a person, persons or entity, by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing rule of the Chair that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official, by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite An Coimisinéir Teanga, Mr. Seán Ó Cuirreáin, to address the committee.