Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, visitors and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or are on flight mode for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode.

I welcome Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, president of the Law Reform Commission and former judge of the Supreme Court, Mr. Raymond Byrne, a commissioner with the Law Reform Commission, Mr. Paul Egan, chairman of the Company Law Review Group, Mr. Vincent Madigan, also of the Company Law Review Group, and Ms Tara Keane of the Company Law Review Group secretariat.

In accordance with procedure, I am required to read out the following. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 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.

I remind our guests that the presentations should be no more than five minutes’ duration. Members have been circulated with the presentation submitted by today’s attendees. I ask Ms Justice Laffoy to make some brief introductory remarks. I will then ask Mr. Byrne to make a presentation to the committee.