Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to have an engagement with Dr. Eilionóir Flynn, from the National University of Ireland, Galway on the ratification of UN conventions. A briefing has been circulated to members. On behalf of the committee I welcome Dr. Flynn and thank her for her attendance today. I will invite her to make an opening statement of five minutes which will be followed by a question and answer session with the members.

I advise the witness that 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 the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are 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 should be aware that under the salient ruling 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 Dr. Flynn to make her opening statement.