Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice, to our meeting. I look forward to our engagement on the topic of the rule of law. In advance of the meeting, the committee engaged with stakeholders on the topic and sought written submissions on the issue. I thank all the stakeholders who took the time to respond to that request. We found all the submissions very helpful.

Before we begin, all witnesses are reminded of the parliamentary practice that we should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of any person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with that direction.

For witnesses attending remotely, that is, outside the precincts of Leinster House, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and as such they may not benefit from the same level of legal immunity as witnesses who are physically present in the building. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised to be mindful of their domestic law.

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 identifiable outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make them identifiable. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located in this complex. In this regard, I ask members partaking via Microsoft Teams, prior to making their contribution or asking a question, to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

For anybody watching the meeting online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing this meeting remotely. Only I, as Chair, and staff essential to the running of the meeting are physically present in the committee room. Due to these unprecedented circumstances and the large number of people attending the meeting, I ask everyone to bear with us if technical issues arise.

After all of those technicalities, I invite Commissioner Reynders to make his opening statement.