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

The purpose of today's meeting is to continue a series of engagements on the matter of online harassment and harmful communications. We are joined this morning by Dr. Mary Aiken, cyberpsychologist and honorary professor at the University of East London; Mr. Ronan Lupton, barrister-at-law; and Dr. T.J. McIntyre, chairman of Digital Rights Ireland, who is no stranger to the committee. They witnesses are all very welcome this morning. I propose to invite the witnesses to speak in the order in which I have introduced them but there is no hierarchy. We will take it in that order if it works.

First I draw the attention of witnesses to privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 the proceedings is to be given and 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 of the committee are reminded 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 ask our panellists and visitor to ensure their mobile phones are switched off.

Without further ado, I invite Dr. Mary Aiken to make her opening statement.