Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members to the afternoon session of today's marathon meeting, which will focus on social, labour and youth affairs. I am delighted to welcome a range of interesting and expert speakers from various backgrounds: Mr. David Garrahy from the European Youth Forum, Ms Anne McHugh from the Education and Training Boards Ireland and Ms Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. I will invite the speakers in order and there will then be a question and answer session.

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.

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 invite Mr. Garrahy to make his opening remarks.