Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to meet the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris, for an update on the Garda policing plan for 2019, the implementation of the Garda reform plan, new policing structures and miscellaneous issues that have arisen since the Commissioner was last before the committee in June. He is joined by Mr. John Twomey, deputy commissioner for policing and security, Mr. Michael Finn, assistant commissioner for the southeastern region, and Mr Joseph Nugent, chief administrative officer. I extend a warm welcome to them and to their colleagues who are also present, including Mr Andrew McLindon, director of communications, and Mr. John Keegan, superintendent of corporate services.

I will shortly invite the Commissioner to make his opening statement, which will be followed by a brief overhead presentation prepared for this meeting. I must first draw the attention of our witnesses to the situation in relation to privilege.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give 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 entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

We have been joined by colleagues from both Houses. They are all very welcome. All Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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 invite the Garda Commissioner to make his opening statement.