Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery that mobile phones should be switched off to ensure they do not interfere with the recorded transmission of the debate. They should be switched off completely for the duration of the meeting because they cause interference with broadcasting.

I welcome Mr. Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, and Ms Aisling Seely, campaigns officer. Members of this committee are well aware of the tremendous work carried out through the years by Amnesty International Ireland. Its work in the Middle East has increased in the past couple of years, due to the civil war in Syria and the ongoing unrest in Egypt.

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. 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. 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person(s) or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.