Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now meeting with Ms Barbara Walshe and Mr. Pat Hynes to discuss with the committee the role of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, not only in the Irish peace process, but also in support of building peace in other conflict and post-conflict regions. I welcome Ms Walshe and Mr. Hynes. The format of the meeting is that we will hear opening statements before going into a question and answer session with the members of the committee.

Before proceeding with the business of the meeting, I remind members and people in the Public Gallery that their mobile telephones should be switched off or put on airplane mode for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even if on silent mode, with the recording equipment in committee rooms.

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 do so, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Ms Walshe to make her opening statement.