Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will begin session two. I remind those in the Public Gallery, witnesses and members of the committee that all mobile telephones should be switched off. I apologise for starting late, but the committee had to deal with some private business. The time allowed for this session is 45 minutes.

I welcome Mr. Paul Bell, Mr. Sean Nolan, Mr. Brendan O'Brien and Mr. Gerry Harris, all from SIPTU. I also welcome Mr. Peter Ray, chairman of the Irish Ambulance Representative Council, Mr. Glen Ellis from the Dublin Fire Brigade and Mr. Fintan Ferrick, supervisor from the National Ambulance Service. They are all very welcome and I thank them for attending.

Before we commence, I remind all here of the rules of privilege. 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. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, 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 to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.