Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

No. I will leave it up to Ms Thompson and Mr. Brecknell which questions to answer in public session and which to answer in private session, depending on the extent to which they feel a question is straying into a sensitive area. It makes sense to do it this way. If there is anything they would prefer to answer in private, we will go into private session. I apologise but I will have to leave to speak for ten minutes at some stage during the session. It will probably be during the private session. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan will, I believe, need to leave shortly afterwards. Unfortunately, that is the nature of these sittings. Quite a few members are missing. I apologise for that, but our guests are very welcome.

I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. Members are requested to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to aeroplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. It is not sufficient for members just to put their phones on silent mode as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 joint committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 they are asked to respect the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Again, Ms Thompson and Mr. Brecknell are warmly welcome.