John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now dealing with the State Claims Agency and its handling of claims made against the State. I welcome Mr. Ciarán Breen, director, and Ms Jenny Foley, senior clinical claims manager, from the State Claims Agency.

I wish to advise the witnesses 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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 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.

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. I ask Mr. Breen to make his opening statement.