Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Pat Ivory to the meeting. Dr. Ivory presented to us a while back about the future of Europe and promised to return when IBEC had finalised its position and thinking on the issue. We are glad to have him back here today with his associates. Before we begin with Dr. Ivory's opening statement, I have to remind everybody of the rules of privilege in this Parliament.

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 or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I ask Dr. Ivory to make his opening statement.