Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I remind members, witnesses and visitors to switch off their mobile phones. It is not sufficient to put them on silent as they can still interfere with the broadcasting equipment. I welcome viewers to our proceedings today as the meeting is being shown live on UPC and Sky channels.

As EU citizens, we all enjoy a range of rights conferred on us. The EU Ombudsman's office is an independent body that holds the EU administration to account on behalf of EU citizens. I am delighted to welcome the EU Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, who is here to discuss the activities of her office and outline her priorities for the remainder of her term in office.

We have received apologies from Deputy Joe O'Reilly and Senator Aideen Hayden.

Before beginning, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against 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 in respect to the evidence given to the committee by absolute privilege. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of the evidence given. They are asked to respect the practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity either inside in these Houses or outside by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.