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

The purpose of this morning's engagement is to discuss the extremely important and pressing subject of rights and equality in the context of Brexit. I extend a warm welcome to Professor Colin Harvey from Queen's University Belfast, Mr. Brian Gormally, director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, Mr. Les Allamby, chief commissioner, Mr. Colin Caughey, director of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and Ms Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner, and Dr. Ruth Gallagher, senior adviser, from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

I will shortly invite our guests to make their opening statements in the order in which I announced them. First, I am obliged to draw their attention to the situation regarding privilege. 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 they 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 are reminded that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Professor Harvey to deliver his opening statement.