John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I welcome Mr. Padraic Kissane to the meeting. I ask members and all those present in the Gallery to please turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting. I draw the attention of the witness to the fact that 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 he is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and he continues to so do, he is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. He is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and he is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Mr. Kissane to make his opening statement.