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

I thank members for their presence and Senator Colette Kelleher for facilitating the commencement of today's business. Apologies have been received from Deputy Alan Farrell and Senators Martin Conway and Lorraine Clifford-Lee.

The first item of business is a discussion on penal reform with the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice.

The joint committee has identified penal policy and penal reform as one of its priority issues in its 2017 work programme. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have a discussion on this issue.

I welcome Mr. Eoin Carroll of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. We are joined by Mr. Kevin Hargaden in the Visitors Gallery. On behalf of the committee I thank Mr. Carroll for his attendance here today to discuss this important issue. I advise the witness that the format of the meeting is that he will be invited to make a brief opening statement and this will be followed by a question and answer opportunities for members.

I must caution the witness about privilege and I draw his attention to the fact that he is protected by protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence he is to give to the committee. However, if he is directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, he is entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he 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. Members are reminded that under the salient rulings of the Chairman, members 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 now invite Mr. Carroll to make his opening statement.