Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With us today are Professor Gary Murphy of the school of law and government at Dublin City University and Professor Gavin Barrett of the Sutherland school of law at University College Dublin. This meeting is one in a series on the potential impact of Brexit on areas identified as falling within the remit of the committee. At the end of a series of hearings over the coming weeks, the committee will prepare a report on the potential impact of Brexit. I welcome the witnesses on behalf of the committee. We look forward to hearing their thoughts and opinions on the implications, positive and negative, of the decision by the people of Britain to leave the European Union. Now that Article 50 has been invoked, we have seen movement on both sides to set out negotiating positions. In this regard, both sides have referred to the unique position of Ireland in the process. The format of the meeting is that we will hear the witnesses' opening statements before moving to a session of questions and answers with members of the committee.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and the people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording and broadcasting equipment in this room, even in silent mode. Today's meeting is being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV and across various other media platforms.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call on Professor Murphy to make his opening remarks. We will then hear from Professor Barrett.