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

We will have a discussion with Ms Claire Cumiskey from the Irish Immigrant Support Centre, Nasc, to discuss the Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill which comes before the committee on Thursday. Her presence is timely. She previously contacted Deputy Tóibín and he proposed that Ms Cumiskey should be invited to the committee. I thank her for attending at short notice. It is important that we would speak to her prior to Committee Stage.
Before she makes her presentation, I wish to advise Ms Cumiskey 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 a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I invite Ms Cumiskey to make her presentation.