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

Apologies have been received from Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile. I ask those present to please switch off all mobile phones as they interfere with the sound recording system.

The purpose of the first session of the meeting is to engage with the chairperson designate of the Valuation Tribunal. Ms Carol O'Farrell, a barrister, has been a member of the tribunal for the past four years and is due to take up her new post at the end of the month. On behalf of the joint committee, I thank her for her attendance. She will be invited to make an opening statement which will be followed by a question and answer session.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If, however, they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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.

Members should be aware that, under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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.

I invite Ms O'Farrell to make her opening statement.