Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland. We met him informally yesterday, so we have had a busy few days with him. Ms Ashling Seely, who is the Stop Torture campaign officer, is also very welcome. The format is that we will have an opening statement from Mr. O'Gorman, following which we will take questions from the members of the committee.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as even on silent mode they cause interference with the recording equipment. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the House or 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 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.