Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have a quorum and are in public session. I remind everybody to switch off mobile phones. The mobile phones interfere with the microphone system and if there is interference, the proceedings of the committee will not be broadcast.

The meeting has been convened for the purpose of consideration by the committee of matters relating to the consultation paper on the establishment of an electoral commission in Ireland. It is proposed this part of our meeting will conclude at approximately 4.30 p.m, when there shall be a break for five minutes, and the committee will resume in private session. A meeting on the ECOFIN Council meeting will take place here after this meeting, so we are under instruction to be gone by 5.45 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome Professor Michael Marsh from the department of political science at Trinity College, Dublin; Professor David Farrell, from the school of politics and international relations at University College Dublin; Dr. Theresa Reidy, lecturer at the school of government, University College Cork; Dr. Muiris MacCárthaigh, lecturer in politics and public administration at Queens University Belfast; and Mr. John O'Dowd, lecturer at the school of law, University College Dublin. I thank them for their attendance.

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 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. I advise them their opening statements and any other documentation they provide to proceedings may be made available on the committee website after the meeting has concluded.

Each opening statement should be approximately five minutes. It is fine if it is a little bit over. I will allow ten minutes for questions and answers from all members. I will give a warning when approximately one minute remains and I will ask whoever is in possession, and I hope it is one of the witnesses, in the tenth minute to cease speaking.

I invite Dr. Reidy to make her opening statement.