Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives from the ICBF, Mr. Michael Doran, chairman, Mr. Sean Coughlan, chief executive and Dr. Andrew Cromie, technical director. The witnesses were in the Visitors Gallery during the presentation from the ICCS. Many questions were raised by the society and, therefore, we will have a good exchange of views.

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 the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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.

I invite Mr. Coughlan to make his opening statement on behalf of the ICBF.