Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will continue our consideration of developing a plan to capture the full value of our genealogical heritage with our second group of witnesses. I welcome Rev. Dr. Norman Gamble, the Irish Railway Records Society Limited; Ms Eibhlín Roche, on behalf of the Guinness Storehouse Guinness archive; Mr. Brian Donovan and Ms Fiona Fitzsimons of Eneclann. Thank you for your attendance today.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise that any opening statement submitted to the committee may be published on its website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they 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 invite Ms Roche to address the committee.