Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates, many of whom are familiar to me. I certainly know the representatives from the Dublin Port Company. I also welcome Mr. John Treacy, Mr. Ciaran Flanagan, Mr. Nicholas Cloake and Mr. Alan Robinson who are representing the Docklands Business Forum. The meeting is informal and there will be no interrogation as the delegates are not appearing before the Committee of Public Accounts or anything like it. Their attendance is welcome. They have a keen interest in the docklands area in which their businesses are located and they work strongly with the community. Certainly, the festival initiated in the docklands by the Docklands Business Forum has been highly successful and gone from strength to strength.
I draw attention the fact that, 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 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 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise witnesses that the opening statements and any other documentation submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website on the conclusion of this afternoon's business.

Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The witnesses may wish to make a submission.