Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Dermot Griffin, chief executive officer, and Mr. Eddie Banville, head of marketing, from Premier Lotteries Ireland, and Mr. Liam Sloyan, the recently appointed national lottery regulator. Mr. Griffin and Mr. Sloyan will make some opening remarks and a question and answer session will follow to clarify any matters.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. 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 the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they will be entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they 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 of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Griffin to begin and to keep the opening remarks as short as possible.