John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now dealing with No. 7, the appropriation accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Vote 22 - Courts Service. In welcoming the witnesses, I apologise for the delay in inviting them in. We had other matters that we had to clarify before this business. Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors' Gallery to please turn off their mobile phones.

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. 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. They are also reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 163 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies.
I welcome Mr. Ryan from the Courts Services and ask him to introduce his officials.