Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will continue our consideration of the report of Mr. Justice Moran into the receipt, distribution and sale of tickets at the Rio Olympic Games and related matters.

I welcome Ms Sarah Keane, president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, and Ms Sarah O'Shea, honorary general secretary of the Olympic Council of Ireland. I also welcome Mr. John Treacy, chief executive of Sport Ireland, and Mr. Kieran Mulvey, chairman of Sport Ireland.

Before we continue I will go through the standard process. In accordance with procedure I am required to notify the meeting that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give 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.

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.

I will invite Sarah Keane to speak but first I wish to congratulate her on her election as president of the OCI. I wish to acknowledge the comments made by Mr. Justice Moran in his report on the significant changes that are occurring in the organisation. The openness and transparency that he refers to represent a welcome change.