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

Preparations are being made for the European Parliament elections in 2019. We are glad today to have engagement with Mr. James Temple-Smithson. With the European Parliament elections coming in May, this is a good time to start our engagement on planning for that election. The European Parliament Constituency Committee has made its recommendations on how to organise the constituencies, and specifically how to reallocate the additional seats given to Ireland in light of the UK leaving the EU. No doubt once the Government has considered those recommendations, the required heads of Bill will be published. This all follows on, of course, from the European Parliament's own decision in February and the option by the European Council in June.

These elections will come at an important time for the European Union and it is as important as ever that citizens are engaged in that process. The results released today from the Eurobarometer show that 36% of the people in Ireland are already aware of when the European elections will be held and 58% of the people in Ireland say that they are interested in the election. We have more work to do about that and creating more awareness.

It is helpful that we have Mr. Temple-Smithson here today with us. As is the norm here in this committee, I will ask Mr. Temple-Smithson to make his opening statement and then I will go to the members.

First of all, I am obligated to remind members and Mr. Temple-Smithson of the rules of privilege. 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 House 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, 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 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 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 Mr. Temple-Smithson to make his opening statement.