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

We have two hours for this meeting and this is the only item on the agenda. I am conscious that some members did not get to contribute at our previous meeting, but there should be plenty of opportunity for everyone to speak today. I will try to be fair to everyone and rotate the contributions as we do at every meeting. There will be ten minutes each for Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, the SDLP and the Alliance Party. We will then return to Sinn Féin before moving to the Independents, including party leaders. These will be Deputies Tóibín and McNamara and Senators Mullen and Black, followed by the Green Party and the Labour Party. If that is okay with everyone, we will proceed. I will try to be as flexible and helpful as possible. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We have Professor Colin Harvey and Mr. Mark Bassett on the line. We are meeting to continue our discussion on their paper, The EU and Irish Unity: Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland, and related topics. On behalf of the committee, I welcome them to the meeting.

I must read out a note on privilege. 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 they 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 that person or entity's good name.

We have Professor Harvey and Mr. Bassett's document and had a long debate at our previous meeting, but I would be happy if they made brief opening statements, if they so wish. We will then continue with questioning.