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

I ask everyone please to switch off all mobile phones as they interfere with the sound recording system.

The purpose of today's meeting is to meet with the Policing Authority to discuss a range of issues relating to An Garda Síochána, including the falsification of Garda breath test data; the handling of senior Garda management promotions; following last week's committee meeting with Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, his recent audit of child protection relevant to the Child Care Act 1991, section 12; and the police using leading systems effectively, PULSE.

On behalf of the committee I welcome Ms Josephine Feehily, chairperson of the Policing Authority, Ms Helen Hall, chief executive and Ms Margaret Tumelty head of policing, strategy and performance. They are joined in the Gallery by Ms Karen Shelly. The witnesses will be invited to make an opening statement and this will be followed by a question and answer session. They are familiar with the procedure.

Before we begin I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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.

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.