Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Paul Hannigan, president of Letterkenny Institute of Technology, and Professor Malachy Ó Néill, provost of the Magee campus of Ulster University.

The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter.

Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and should respect directions given by the Chair and 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the person's or entity's good name. I invite Mr. Hannigan and Professor Ó Néill to make their opening statements.