Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The item on the agenda today is a discussion with newly elected Irish MEPs. I am delighted that we are joined by Ms Lynn Boylan, MEP, and Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP, who were both elected to represent the Dublin constituency in the European Parliament. We are also joined by Mr. Francis Jacobs, head of the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland. I welcome all three to the meeting today which coincides with the Commissioner Designate Hogan's hearings in the European Parliament this morning.
I am very pleased to see Ms Boylan and Mr. Hayes here today. Some of our other MEPs are attending the hearings in Brussels. Apologies have been received from Mr. Matt Carthy, MEP, Ms Nessa Childers, MEP, Ms Deirdre Clune, MEP, Mr. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, MEP, Mr. Seán Kelly, MEP, and Ms Mairead McGuinness, MEP, who are in Brussels.
We will start with an update from Mr. Jacobs on what is happening in the European Parliament and recent developments since the election in May. Then I will ask, in turn, Ms Lynn Boylan, MEP, and Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP, to update and brief us on their goals, objectives and what they hope to work on, during their term, over the next four and half years.
Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any 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.

However, if they are directed by the committee 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I now invite Mr. Francis Jacobs to make his opening statement.