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

We will continue our consideration of the implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions. I am pleased to welcome our witnesses, Mr. Dáithí O'Ceallaigh and Mr. Tom Arnold, from the Institute for International and European Affairs, IIEA. The IIEA has been doing a lot of interesting work on Brexit. We look forward to hearing the views and insights of the witnesses and the committee will have a number of questions. I understand Mr. O'Ceallaigh will speak first, followed by Mr. Arnold.

I need to go through some technical matters with regard to mobile phones. I remind members, guests and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones and tablets are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even if on silent mode, with the recording equipment.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any 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 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 a 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 a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. On behalf of the committee the witnesses are very welcome.