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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Anne Ferris and Senator Denis O'Donovan. The purpose of this meeting is to have an engagement with a number of those who made submissions on the review of firearms licensing. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Nicholas Flood, Mr. Kaz Balinski, Mr. Damien Hannigan, Mr. Declan Keogh, Mr. Kealan Symes and Mr. Desmond Crofton. I thank our guests for attending in order that we might hear their expert views on this important matter. I compliment them on the quality of their submissions. As they are aware, officials from the Department and representatives from the Garda came before the committee prior to Christmas to outline their views on this issue. We want to ensure that everyone's views on this very technical and detailed issue are heard. Members have a great deal to learn about this matter and in many ways our guests are the experts. We will be all ears when they make their presentations. The format of the meeting will be that I will invite each organisation or individual to make opening remarks that will last approximately five minutes. There will then be a question-and-answer session with members. If people wish to bring any additional points or information to our attention, they should please do so.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they will be 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 person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded that, under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Flood to make his opening statement.