John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I draw attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2008, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee.

However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or an entity, by name or in such a say as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting.

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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I am pleased to welcome the representatives of the Simon Communities of Ireland, Ms Niamh Randall, Mr. Bill Griffin, Mr. Dermot Kavanagh and Mr. Sam McGuinness. As I said, we have received its submission which has been circulated to members and will be published on the committee's website afterwards. I invite Ms Randall to make an opening statement or give a summary of the submission after which there will be questions from members.