Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the absence on business of the Chairman, members must put up with me for the day. I welcome television viewers to the proceedings. We will try to get through as much business as possible although it will be difficult because there will be several votes in the Dáil during the course of the day. Members should try to keep their work within confines and do their best to avoid overlaps. I appeal to members of the committee for their help and co-operation in that regard.

I welcome our witnesses, Professor Eva Pajkrt and Professor Sjef Gevers.

Members are requested to turn off their mobile phones as even when in silent mode they interrupt, and play havoc with, the recording.

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.

In addition we like, and try, to conduct our business in a non-confrontational way both in our dealings with witnesses and with each other, in accordance with the best parliamentary practice.

I call on whichever of our witnesses wishes to proceed first to make his or her opening statement.