Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the officials to the meeting and I thank them for agreeing to deal with that issue. I welcome Mr. Ronan Gallagher, principal officer, Mr. Daragh Phelan, administrative officer, and Ms Bronagh Treacy, higher executive officer. They are very welcome to the meeting.

Before we commence, I am required to read the following statement on privilege. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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, witnesses should not criticise nor 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 members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Gallagher to make his opening statement.