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

As we have a quorum we shall commence the meeting in public session.

I wish to take this opportunity to welcome members back after the recess. I hope everybody had a good break and I wish members and their families all the best for 2015. I hope we will have a good year and that we will get as much work done this year as we did in 2014.

Apologies have been received from Deputies Anne Ferris, Alan Farrell, Fergus O'Dowd and Niall Collins.

The purpose of this meeting is to have an engagement with the Garda Inspectorate on the published report on crime investigation 2014. A briefing has been circulated to members on this. I wish to warmly welcome Mr. Bob Olson, the chief inspector, as well as the deputy chief inspectors, Mr. Mark Toland and Ms Debra Kirby. I thank them for taking the time to be here and engaging with the committee. The format is that we will ask Mr. Olson to make a brief opening statement of about five minutes' duration. We will then have a question and answer session. I realise it is not possible to cover this report in five minutes. It is a pretty comprehensive, impressive report with an awful lot in it, but I am sure we will be able to touch on the main points today. We will probably revisit some of the points, on and off, to see how things are going.

I ask everybody to turn off all mobile phones and other such devices that might interfere with the sound system, or else put them on flight mode.

I must also draw the attention of witnesses to the situation concerning privilege. They should note that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of any evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and continue to do so, 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. They are also 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.

The same applies to members. They should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Olson to make his opening statement.