Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I am delighted to welcome Dr. Anthony Soares, deputy director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, and Mr. Peter Sheridan, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland. They are both going to speak to us on the implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions. I propose that we hear from Dr. Anthony Soares first, followed by Mr. Peter Sheridan, and then I will take questions.

I need to advise everybody of the privilege rules. I remind members 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to him, her or it 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 joint committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

On behalf of the committee, I thank our guests for joining us today. I invite Dr. Anthony Soares to make his opening comments.