Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. This is important as it causes serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff.

No. 6 is pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft general scheme of a public sector standards Bill. This is our second meeting on this. I welcome Dr. Elaine Byrne, a governance consultant with the European Commission in Ireland, and the following representatives from the Standards in Public Office Commission: Mr. Justice Daniel O'Keeffe, chairman, Mr. Peter Tyndall, and Mr. Jim O'Keeffe. The format will be that the witnesses will make opening remarks in the order I have introduced them and this will be followed by a question and answer session.

I advise 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 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 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, 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. 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 Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Dr. Byrne to make her opening remarks.