Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for interrupting. I am new to the Chair and forgot to read the statement on privilege.

Before we begin, I bring to the witnesses' attention to the fact that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such way as to make him or 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.

I call on Professor Ferguson to continue.