Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witness, Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll, from the organised and serious crime unit of the Garda Síochána, who is attending remotely. The format of the meeting is that I will invite our witness to make an opening statement, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. As he is probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statement on the website following the meeting.

Before I invite the witness to deliver his opening statement, which will be limited to five minutes, I wish to advise him about parliamentary privilege. 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 that 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.

As the witness today is attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, please note there are limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, he may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make her or him identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they should be physically present in the confines of Leinster House or the Convention Centre Dublin in order to participate in the public meeting. I cannot permit a member to attend who is not adhering to that constitutional requirement. I ask members to identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of the Debates Office staff who are preparing the Official Report. I remind those participating in the meeting to mute their mobile telephones or, better still, switch them off.

I now call on Assistant Garda Commissioner O'Driscoll to address the committee.