Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The next item is engagement with Dr. Duncan Morrow, director of community engagement at Ulster University. On behalf of the committee I welcome Dr. Morrow to today's session. We are having a number of engagements today which are focused on relations between the State and Northern Ireland and we would very much welcome his contribution.

Before we begin I will read a note on privilege. 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. 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. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her, or it identifiable.