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

The purpose of our session is to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the merchant shipping (investigation of marine casualties) (amendment) Bill 2020. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Michael Kingston and Mr. Ciaran McCarthy. I thank them and the members for participating in this meeting at such short notice. I wish to make Mr. Kingston aware that his additional briefing was received yesterday evening. I refer not to the review of the Bill itself but the actual briefing note. The committee has considered the briefing note and has agreed to accept Mr. Kingston's documentation but with two passages, namely, paragraphs 3.82, 3.83 and 3.84, as well as 3.12.1, redacted due to their content.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person 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 good name of the person or entity. If their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identified person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely, outside of the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it might apply to the evidence they give.

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.

I also remind members that they are allowed to participate in this meeting only if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard I also ask all members, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. For the information of anyone watching this meeting online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. Only I, as Chairman, and the staff essential to the running to the meeting are physically present in the committee room. Due to the unprecedented circumstances of Covid and the large number of people attending the meeting remotely, I ask everyone to bear with us should any technical issues arise. When people are not speaking, I ask them to mute their microphones. It benefits the broadcasting enormously.

I now call on Mr. Kingston to make his opening statement.