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

We will resume our discussion with a number of those groups that made a written submission on the review of the effectiveness of the legislation governing oversight of the Garda. We will try to confine our discussion to this. We will not discuss individual, specific cases that may arise, as they are for other fora. Our job is to examine the legislation. I ask witnesses to bear that in mind as it will make my job much easier.

On behalf of the committee, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Tim Galvin and Mr. John Redmond, Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, whom I thank for giving of their time; Mr. Tony McGillicuddy, Bar Council of Ireland - an old visitor to the committee whom it is nice to see again; Mr. Robert Olson, Mr. Mark Toland and Ms Debra Kirby, the Garda Inspectorate, about whom we have a heard a great deal and with whom we look forward to engaging; Ms Maura Butler, Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development, ACJRD - another frequent visitor to the committee whom it is nice to see again; and Dr. Richard O'Flaherty.

Witnesses will be invited to make a five-minute opening statement, which will be followed by a question and answer session. We had a three and a half hour engagement with other individuals and groups earlier on this matter. We are pretty punch drunk from this but we look forward to engaging with them this afternoon. It is intense and interesting but also important.

These proceedings are being carried on UPC channel 207. I ask members, witnesses and visitors in the public gallery to switch their mobile telephones to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. It is not enough to put them in silent mode, as this will maintain interference in the room and negatively impact on broadcasts. We have had a number of communications from broadcasters who say that telephones active in the vicinity of microphones interfere with the broadcast and they cannot pick up what people are saying. We want people to know what witnesses and members are saying and, therefore, I ask them to switch the mode.

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. They 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 in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I asked members whether they wished to lead and I received requests from Senators Zappone and Bacik. I invite Mr. John Redmond to make his opening remarks.