Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone back after the summer recess. There will be a busy programme of work over the next number of months, but everyone is ready for it. I acknowledge the dedication and time that members give to this committee. I appreciate it. We are all working together, which is the way I like it.

I advise members that we must adhere strictly to time today because another committee will be using this meeting room afterwards. Deputies must also attend the Dáil at 2 p.m. Apologies have been received from Deputies Brophy and Crowe. I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. This is important as it causes serious problems for the broadcasting, editorial and sound staff.

Today's meeting is an engagement on the future of Europe with youth representatives Ms Vanessa Mulhall and Mr. Robert Nesirky from the National Youth Council. On behalf of all members, I welcome Ms Mulhall and Mr. Nesirky to our meeting. As a committee, we started examining the European Commission's White Paper on the Future of Europe before the summer and we are eager to hear from representatives and citizens on how they see the future of Europe developing and where they see Ireland in that picture.

We are delighted that the witnesses can be with us today. Before they make their opening statements, though, I must remind everyone of the rules on parliamentary 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 or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I ask Ms Mulhall and Mr. Nesirky to make their opening statements after which members will ask questions as they see fit.