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

The purpose of this part of today's meeting is to discuss a range of issues related to An Garda Síochána, including the falsification of Garda breath test data, errors in relation to summonses and fixed charge notices and Dr. Jeffrey Shannon's audit of child protection.

On behalf of the committee I welcome for the first time the new acting Commissioner, Mr. Dónall Ó Cualáin, who is joined by Dr. Gurchand Singh, head of the Garda Síochána analysis service; Mr. Michael Finn, Assistant Garda Commissioner, roads policing and major event management; Mr. John Twomey, Deputy Garda Commissioner, policing and security; Mr. Michael O’Sullivan, Assistant Garda Commissioner, security and intelligence; and Mr. John O’Driscoll, Assistant Commissioner from the special crime operations unit. Seated behind them are Superintendent Marie Broderick, Office of the Garda Commissioner; Garda Kieran Downey of IT; and Inspector Joseph O’Flynn and Inspector Michael McNulty. They are joined in the public gallery by Mr. Andrew McLindon, director of communications. I ask everyone to switch off their phones please as there is interference.

The format of meeting is the acting Garda Commissioner will be invited to make an opening statement, and this will be followed by a questions and answers session. 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.

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.

I invite assistant acting Garda Commissioner, Mr. Dónall Ó Cualáin, to make his opening statement.