Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A particular focus is the requirement for a proper and adequate official investigation into deaths resulting from the actions of State agents, both from the use of lethal force and also in situations arising from the negligence of agents which leads to a death - when Articles 1 and 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights are read together. We welcome a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the issues associated with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Ireland's compliance and any factors which impinge upon its operation and implementation. Members are keen to hear their views in this regard. The meeting format is to invite each witness to make an opening statement of five minutes, followed by a question and answer session with members.

I welcome Dr. Brian Farrell, Dublin district coroner. As Dr. Farrell must leave for another appointment at 11.30 a.m., he will present first. Next will be Mr. Mark Kelly, executive director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, then Dr. Natasa Mavronicola, lecturer in law at Queen's University, Belfast, and then Mr. Michael Finucane, solicitor, to conclude the presentation. I welcome all the witnesses today and thank them for forwarding their presentations.

Before commencing I must inform the witnesses 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 joint committee. If they are directed by the committee 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I invite Dr. Farrell to make his presentation.