Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting mobile telephones are turned off completely or switched to aeroplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. It is not sufficient to put telephones in silent mode as this will continue to cause interference with the broadcasting system. The purpose of the meeting is to engage in detailed scrutiny of the Residential Tenancies (Student Rents, Rights and Protections) Bill 2018. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Deputy Kathleen Funchion and Deputy Eoin Ó Broin, who is also a member of this committee, to our meeting.

I draw attention to the fact 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 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.