Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Our second engagement this morning is with the Probation Service. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to engage with the service on the issue of penal policy and reform. For the information of our guests, the joint committee has identified penal policy and reform as one of its priority issues for the 2017 work programme. I welcome Mr. Vivian Geiran, director of the Probation Service. He is joined by Ms Ita Burke, Ms Úna Doyle and Mr. Brian Dack. On behalf of the committee, I thank them for their attendance here today to discuss this very important issue. I apologise for the late start. Our first session, with the Prison Service representatives, ran on a little. The format of the meeting is that the witnesses will be invited to make a brief opening statement, and this will be followed by questions and answers.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 neither criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should be aware that, under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Geiran to make the opening statement.