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

On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Department of Justice and Equality Mr. Jimmy Martin, assistant secretary, and Ms Tracy O'Keeffe, principal officer.

As they will know, I am obliged to draw their attention to the position regarding privilege. I ask them to note that they 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 do so, 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Martin to make his opening statement.