Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under the rules of the Houses of the Oireachtas, mobile telephones should not be used as cameras. If members and guests could put their telephones on silent or aeroplane mode, it would help with broadcasting the meeting and would not interfere with staff.

Our meeting is with members of Amnesty International to discuss its recently published report relating to abortion laws in Ireland which was launched this morning in Dublin. Members have been given opening statements and the report was put in their pigeonholes this afternoon. I welcome Mr. Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International, Mr. Colm O'Gorman, director of Amnesty International Ireland and Ms Christina Zampas, senior legal adviser. I thank Mr. O'Gorman for assistance in the organisation of the meeting. I also welcome the visitors in the Gallery.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they 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. I ask Mr. O'Gorman to make his opening remarks.