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

This meeting is with Ms Dorothea Dowling, chairperson, Mr. Joe O'Toole, vice chairperson, Ms Patricia Byron, chief executive, and Mr. Stephen Watkins, board secretary, of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to discuss the board's contribution to the economy and opportunities ahead for both citizens and the State. They are all very welcome and I thank them for coming. We had a chance to engage with them during a breakfast meeting earlier in the year.
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 joint committee. If they directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 either 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 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 ask Ms Dowling to make her presentation to the committee.