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

The purpose of today's meeting is to meet representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality to discuss a range of issues, including the recent controversial events that resulted in the resignation of the former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Francis Fitzgerald, proposals from the Taoiseach for an external inquiry into the functioning of the Department of Justice and Equality and for reforms to make the Department more transparent to the political system; and related matters.

I welcome Ms Oonagh McPhillips, acting Secretary General, to discuss these very important matters. She is joined by Mr. Conan McKenna, assistant secretary, who has been with us on a number of occasions, Mr. John O'Callaghan, assistant secretary, and Ms Bernadette Phelan, assistant principal officer. The delegation will be invited to make an opening statement and this will be followed by questions and answers.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms McPhillips to make her opening statements.