Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Josepha Madigan. Before we proceed to our normal business we will hear from acting Garda Commissioner, Mr. Dónall Ó Cualáin, on a commitment given to the committee at a meeting in July to provide a copy of the interim report on the reopening of certain Garda stations. The committee has still not received the report and is concerned that commitments made to it by any organisation are followed through. While we have received a written explanation from the acting Garda Commissioner we consider this such an important matter that we have invited him at short notice to explain to members in person why he is not in a position to provide the report. I acknowledge the acting Commissioner has new responsibility and we wish him well in his new role. However long or short it will be is not for us to say. We will not deal with the content of the report, but there will be a short period for clarifying issues on the commitment and its background.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery that all mobile phones should be switched off or put on aeroplane mode.

I advise witnesses 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. 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 of the committee are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair 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. I invite the acting Garda Commissioner, Mr. Ó Cualáin, to proceed.