Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind witnesses and those in the Public Gallery, in the interest of the orderly conduct of proceedings, to ensure their mobile phones are put into airplane mode as they affect broadcasting quality.

No. 4 on today's agenda is the impact of Brexit on the Irish economy. To assist us in considering this matter, I am pleased to welcome Professor Martina Lawless and Professor Kieran McQuinn from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

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.