Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to the committee this morning for our final session on pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the electoral reform Bill 2020. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, back to the committee this morning. Members will be putting some suggestions and perhaps some questions that have arisen from witnesses who have attended so far. We have had a number of sessions on this Bill, which is hugely important and covers much ground and area. We have had witnesses with expertise in data management, data protection and online advertising. The Data Protection Commission, a number of social media organisations and officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage appeared before the committee. We also had the Irish Traveller Movement, ITM, the National Women's Council of Ireland, NWC, and the National Youth Council of Ireland, NYCI, which was a really interesting and engaging session. I know the Minister of State probably has some observations on that. We only have an hour and a half because the Minister of State has another engagement at 2 p.m. I will, therefore, stick strictly to five minutes per member. It would be great if members could assist me with that.

I will make a quick comment on privilege. Members attending remotely within the Leinster House complex are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

For witnesses attending remotely, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a person who is physically present. I remind members that they must be within the confines of Leinster House or in the convention centre to participate. Members should identify themselves and confirm that they are present. The Minister of State has submitted an opening statement. I invite him to give his opening remarks if he so wishes.