John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I formally welcome Dr. Mary Murphy of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, NUIM, who is accompanied today by Mr. Philip Finn and Ms Nuala Whelan. I also welcome Ms Joan O'Donnell and Mr. David Lysaght from the Disability Federation of Ireland. The witnesses are all very welcome. We have received the written statements and in a moment we will ask them to make their opening statements.

Before that, I draw the attention of the 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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, 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Those with mobile phones should turn them off or set them to flight mode. It does not just interfere with the meeting but also with recording it. I will ask the two groups to make opening statements and then members of the committee will have an opportunity to ask a number of questions. I remind my colleagues to keep questions to five minutes initially in order to give everybody a chance.