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

As we have a quorum, we will now commence the meeting in public session. I thank Senator Frank Feighan for his attendance to facilitate the commencement of our meeting. I have received apologies from Senator Frances Black. The purpose of today's meeting is to commence pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the communications (retention of data) Bill 2017. I welcome from the Department of Justice and Equality, Ms Geraldine Moore, principal officer, Mr. Dermot Woods, principal officer, and Ms Layla de Cogan Chin, assistant principal officer. On behalf of the committee, I thank the witnesses for their attendance to discuss this important legislation. The format of the meeting is that the witnesses will be invited to make an opening statement which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the members.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of our witnesses to the situation on privilege. The 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 of the committee should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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 now invite Ms Moore to make her opening statement.