Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives from Horse Racing Ireland: Mr. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive officer, and Mr. Michael O'Rourke, director of marketing and communications. I also welcome the representatives from Horse Sport Ireland: Professor Patrick Wall, chairman, and Mr. Mark Bolger, director of finance and operations. I thank all the witnesses for coming before the committee to give their views on Irish harness racing.

I will outline the position on the matter of privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give 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 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.