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

The purpose of this morning's engagement is to conduct detailed scrutiny of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) (Amendment) Bill 2018, a Private Member's Bill sponsored by our colleague on the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. We are joined by Ms Caroline Counihan, legal policy director at the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, RCNI. She is very welcome. From the Law Society, we are joined by Mr. Robert Purcell and Ms Áine Breathnach. They are both very welcome. I note some of their colleagues are present in the Visitors Gallery, including Mr. Ken Murphy. I do not recognise everyone but they are all very welcome. I ask our visitors to put mobile phones on silent. I will shortly invite each of our guests to address us, starting with Deputy O'Callaghan.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.