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

I ask everybody to turn off all mobile telephones or put them on silent or airplane mode, depending on the device in question, as they interfere with the transmission and recording systems. Apologies have been received from Deputy Alan Farrell and Senators Rónán Mullen, Ivana Bacik and Denis O'Donovan.

The purpose of this meeting is to receive a briefing on the findings of research on the undocumented migrants in Ireland. A briefing has been circulated to members. I welcome Ms Helen Lowry, Ms Edel McGinley and Mr. Jayson Montenegro, and thank them for being here. I will ask them to make short opening statements of approximately five minutes and we will then have a question-and-answer session with members on the issues brought to our attention today.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of witnesses to matters relating to privilege. Please note that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of your evidence to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of any evidence you give. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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 should also 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.