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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Conway-Walsh and Dr. Stephen Farry MP. My colleagues Senators McGahon and Currie will attend as soon as they can. The Seanad is sitting at the moment but I am told they will be here shortly.

All Members of the Oireachtas should attend this meeting remotely from their offices within the Leinster House campus. Remote participation outside the campus is not possible. If there is unwanted feedback, it may be necessary to mute everyone and the person speaking can then unmute themselves. I ask everyone to stay muted unless they are contributing.

As regards the questions rota, I propose to take Sinn Féin first as I understand two Sinn Féin Members will attend the Ballymurphy inquest report launch at 11 a.m. so they need to leave early. The order is Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, Independents, Aontú, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and the Green Party. We will then go around again. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I very much welcome our two witnesses. The Reverend Karen, which is what she prefers to be called, and Mr. Trevor Lunn MLA will discuss topical issues related to Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. On behalf of the committee I welcome them both to this meeting. The three of us here in the committee room are wearing masks because it is the order of the House as we are in close proximity. Everybody else is in their offices so they do not have that obligation, no more than the witnesses. I want the witnesses to be absolutely relaxed. They are very welcome.

I will read the notice 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 does 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 the proceedings should be given. They should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should neither criticise nor 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 person or entity's good name.

I call Reverend Karen and Mr. Trevor Lunn to make their opening statements. When they are finished, our members will discuss their contributions with them in rotation.