John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. John McKeon, Secretary General of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and his two colleagues, Ms Vaughan and Mr. Flynn. I will invite them to make a presentation to the joint committee. When they have concluded, members will have an opportunity to ask questions.

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 continue to so do, 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 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. If colleagues have mobile phones, they should turn them off because they interfere with the broadcasting and recording of the meeting.

I thank Mr. McKeon for his co-operation and attendance at short notice to discuss an issue that has concerned many colleagues. It was raised this week in the Dáil by Deputy Brady.