Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Mary Considine, CEO of Shannon Group; Mr. Dalton Philips, CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA; Mr. Niall MacCarthy, managing director of Cork Airport; Mr. Ivan Bassato, executive vice president airport management, Aeroporti di Roma; and Ms Veronica Pamio, chief communication and public affairs officer, Aeroporti di Roma. Members should be aware that the representatives from Aeroporti di Roma have informed us that they will leave the meeting after one hour. I propose to reduce the time for questions from seven minutes to five minutes in that context. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they will have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything said at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. If statements are potentially defamatory, therefore, regarding an identified person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that the witnesses comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending the meeting remotely, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses who are physically present. Witnesses participating in this meeting from jurisdictions outside this State are also advised that they should be mindful of their domestic law and how that may apply to the evidence they give. All witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding the identified person or entity, the witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are also reminded that committee meetings should conclude within two hours in any one day. This committee is scheduled to sit twice today, and this is the second sitting, for a cumulative time of just under four hours. Members, therefore, are asked to rotate in and out of the meeting when they have finished asking their questions. With the indulgence of the other witnesses, in the context of Mr. Bassato having to go within an hour, I ask him to be the first to make a presentation. Is that okay with Ms Considine?