Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. It is not sufficient to leave them in silent mode as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment. I welcome viewers on UPC and Sky channels, on which the meeting is being broadcast live.

The joint committee is continuing its series of meetings on what would happen in Ireland if the United Kingdom were to decide to exit from the European Union. A referendum on this question has been promised by the Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, if he is returned to power in the forthcoming elections in the United Kingdom, which are scheduled to take place in May. The committee has decided to examine this issue now because of the potential impact on Ireland and the many Irish citizens living in the United Kingdom. Today we will hear from Mr. Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre, and Mr. Roland Freudenstein, deputy director and head of research at the Centre for European Studies in Brussels on the impact on EU decision making should the United Kingdom exit from the European Union. I welcome both gentlemen.

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 an official, either 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 their evidence to the committee. However, 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.