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

I am pleased to welcome Mr. Conal McFeely and Mr. Peter Bunting, members of the independent assessment team for Maghaberry Prison, and Mr. John Finucane of Finucane Toner Solicitors. They will discuss issues at Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland. Their opening statements will be followed by a question and answer session.

I remind members, guests and people in Visitors Gallery to ensure that their mobile telephones, iPhones, iPads and other such electronic devices are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment even when on silent mode.

I also 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 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 the evidence they give to the committee. 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 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 entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I ask the witnesses not to name individuals. I invite Mr. Peter Bunting to give his opening statement.