Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services members and visitors in the Public Gallery are asked to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile telephones are turned off or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. It is not sufficient to put telephones on silent mode as this will maintain the level of interference with the broadcasting system. To assist with pre-legislative scrutiny of the Land Development Agency Bill 2019, I welcome to today's meeting Professor Kieran McQuinn and Dr. Conor O'Toole from the Economic and Social Research Institute. From the National Economic and Social Council, I welcome Dr. Larry O'Connell and Mr. Noel Cahill.

Before we begin, I 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 the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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.

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.