Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session and I would like to welcome to the meeting from Apple, Mr. Gary Davis, director of privacy Europe and worldwide director of privacy compliance, and Mr. Sam Sharps, head of government affairs, Ireland and the UK. From Google we have Mr. Ryan Meade, government affairs and public policy manager, and Mr. William Malcolm, privacy legal director.

Before we begin I wish to draw your 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 this committee. However, if you are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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.

I also wish to advise you that any submissions or opening statements you make to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting.

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.

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or to switch them to flight mode as they will interfere with the television and broadcasting coverage.