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

The purpose of this part of our meeting is to have an engagement with the Prison Officers Association on the issue of penal policy and reform. The joint committee has identified this as one of its priority issues in its 2017 work programme. I welcome Mr. John Clinton, general secretary, and Mr. Jim Mitchell, deputy general secretary. On behalf of the committee, I thank them both for their attendance to discuss this important issue. The format of the meeting is that they will be invited to make a brief opening statement which will be followed by a question and answer session.

Before I invite Mr. Clinton to make his opening statement, I must caution the witnesses in respect of privilege. I draw attention to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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.

Under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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.