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

The joint committee is continuing its consideration of the implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions. I am pleased to welcome Mr. Declan Fearon, Mr. John Sheridan and Mr. Bernard Boyle, the representatives of Border Communities Against Brexit. Mr. Fearon will make the opening address. Both he and his colleagues will respond to questions.

I remind members, guests and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones, iPhones and BlackBerrys are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when left in silent mode, with the recording equipment in committee rooms. I also ask them to refrain from switching phones on and off as that can also interfere with the sound equipment for several minutes at a time.

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 make him or her 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 committee. However, 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice 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.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome our guests and ask Mr. Fearon to make his opening address.