John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with representatives of the Irish Postmasters Union on the sustainability of the existing post office network. I welcome Mr. Ciaran McEntee, Mr. Padraig McNamara, Mr. Brian McGann and Mr. Sean Martin of the Irish Postmasters Union.
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 they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statements witnesses have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I will need to excuse myself for a few minutes during the meeting and will be asking Deputy Coffey to take the Chair at that stage. The union's submission has already been circulated to members and I know there will be many questions. I ask the witnesses to make their opening statements as brief as possible to give as much time as possible to members for questions.