Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and those in the Visitors Gallery to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when left in silent mode.

This is the public session of pre-legislative scrutiny of the companies (corporate enforcement authority) Bill 2018. I welcome the following officials from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE; Mr. Ian Drennan, director; Mr. David Hegarty, enforcement portfolio manager; Mr. David McGill, digital forensics specialist; Mr. Brian O'Keeffe, detective inspector; Mr. Conor O'Mahony, head of insolvency and corporate services; and Ms Sharon Sterritt, enforcement portfolio manager.

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 do so, 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 an 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. I remind witnesses that the presentation should be of not more than ten minutes' duration. Members have been circulated with the presentations submitted by them.

I call Mr. Drennan to make his presentation.