Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this afternoon's engagement is to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the European Convention on Human Rights (compensation for delays in court proceedings) Bill. We are joined from the Bar Council of Ireland by Mr. Micheál P. O'Higgins, chairman; Mr. Conor Dignam, senior counsel and chairman of the council's human rights committee; and Mr. David Perry, barrister. I understand they may have colleagues in the Gallery I also extend a welcome to them. From the Free Legal Advice Centres, FLAC, we are joined by Ms Eilis Barry, chief executive; and Ms Sinéad Lucey, managing solicitor. They are all very welcome.

I will shortly invite the witnesses to make opening statements but first I must draw the attention of witnesses to the matter of privilege. Please note that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give 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 are 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 of the committee should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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 invite Mr. O'Higgins to make the opening statement on behalf of the Bar Council.