David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion with a number of the individuals and organisations which made a written submission on the review of the effectiveness of the legislation relating to the oversight of An Garda Síochána. On behalf of the joint committee I am pleased to welcome from the Irish Human Rights Commission, Mr. David Joyce, acting chairman, and Dr. Des Hogan, acting chief executive; from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Mr. Mark Kelly, director, and Mr. Walter Jayawardene, campaigns and communications officer; from Transparency International Ireland, Mr. John Devitt, chief executive, and Ms Susheela Math, legal counsellor; from the Irish Traveller Movement, Ms Brigid Quilligan, director, and Mr. Damien Walshe, membership development worker; from Amnesty International Ireland, Ms Fiona Crowley, research and legal manager; and from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Mr. Simon O'Brien, chairman, Mr. Kieran Fitzgerald, commissioner, and Ms Carmel Foley, commissioner. I thank the witnesses for their attendance.
The format of the meeting is that we will invite spokespersons of each of the organisations represented to make an opening statement of approximately five minutes outlining the salient points in the written submissions circulated to the joint committee. We will then proceed to a question and answer session with members.
I ask all members, witnesses and persons present in the Gallery to switch off all mobile telephones or switch them to aeroplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. Unfortunately, switching to silent mode is not acceptable as telephones in this mode may interfere with and impact negatively on the broadcasting system. If, in the course of proceedings, interference takes place, I will ask people to switch off their mobile telephones completely or withdraw from the room.
I draw attention to 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 committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members that under the salient rules of the Chair, they 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. I ask members to take note of this rule when commenting or asking questions.
I invite Mr David Joyce to make his opening remarks.