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

Today, we will discuss Ireland's implementation of the EU digital Covid certificate. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Liz Canavan, assistant secretary, Department of the Taoiseach, Mr. Muiris O'Connor, assistant secretary, Department of Health, Ms Maeve Brett, principal officer, Department of Justice, Mr. Phil O'Flaherty, principal officer, Department of Transport, Mr. Damien McCallion, national director and Covid vaccination programme lead, HSE, Mr. Barry Lowry, Government chief information officer, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Brendan Rogers, deputy secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Ms Barbara Jones, assistant secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs. I thank them for participating, given that the notice given to them of this meeting was short. The committee has sought to be constructive regarding the EU digital green certificate. Today, we are dealing with the public service side and the implementation team. The Minister of State with responsibility for this matter, Deputy Ossian Smyth, will be before us tomorrow.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with such direction. For witnesses who are attending remotely from outside 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 who is 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 may apply to the evidence that 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 remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House and-or the Convention Centre Dublin, in order to participate in public meetings. Reluctantly, I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members partaking via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

For anyone watching this meeting online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing this meeting remotely. Only I, as Chair, and the necessary 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 remotely, I ask for everyone's forbearance should technical issues arise. The public will be interested in what the witnesses' will say on the up-to-date position on the digital green certificate, particularly with 19 July looming next Monday. I call on Ms Canavan to make her opening statement.