Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Barrett and Grealish. At today's meeting, we will discuss with members of the National Union of Journalists, NUJ, the union's campaign to highlight the threat to media freedom in Turkey and the work of the International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, in tackling global abuse of media freedom. I welcome the following: Mr. Gerry Carson, who is the cathaoirleach of the NUJ's Irish executive council; Mr. Barry White of the UK division of the NUJ; and Mr. Ronan Brady, who is an Irish delegate to the IFJ. The format of the meeting is that we will hear an opening statement from the witnesses before we go into a question-and-answer session with the members of the committee. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording and broadcast equipment in this room.

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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make 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. However, if witnesses are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. 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. I ask Mr. Carson to make his opening remarks. I understand that Mr. White and Mr. Brady will make brief contributions at this point as well.