Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The committee is sitting in its capacity as the joint sub-committee on the Ombudsman to consider the report of the Office of the Ombudsman on “A Good Death”. I remind all those present to put their mobile phones to safe mode or switch them off entirely as they interfere with the sound recording system.
I apologise to the Ombudsman and the director general from that office for the delay. We had matters that were important to resolve before the summer recess. I am pleased to welcome Mr. Peter Tyndall, Ombudsman, to present the report. I also welcome Ms Bernie McNally, director general, from the Office of the Ombudsman. I thank them for forwarding their presentation which has been circulated, as has the report itself.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
I invite the Ombudsman to make his presentation.