Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The next item is the local authority performance indicator report 2017 and related matters. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the National Oversight and Audit Commission, NOAC, Mr. Michael McCarthy and Ms Martina Maloney.

I wish to draw attention to the fact that 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 but 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. 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 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 call on Mr. McCarthy to make his opening statement and I welcome him back to the committee.