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

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have an engagement with Ms Emily Logan, who is the chief commissioner-designate of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. On behalf of the joint committee, I thank Ms Logan for her attendance here today. I will invite Ms Logan to make a brief opening statement, which will be followed by a question and answer session with members. Before we begin, I draw Ms Logan's attention to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. However, if they are directed to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 or make charges against any person or persons or entity, by name or in such as way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should also be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Ms Logan to make her opening statement.