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

We are back in public session. I thank everybody for attending and engaging with the committee. I apologise to our witnesses for the delay. As I said before we commenced the meeting earlier, we look forward to visiting Belfast and Derry in the near future. We hope to meet a number of different groups and organisations in the North. In particular, we hope to meet the Ballymurphy and Springhill families. We also hope to visit the WAVE Trauma Centre, which is the largest cross-community victim support group in the country. We also intend to meet people from many community groups on both sides of the great divide. The Good Friday Agreement is designed to bring us all together again.

From Coiste na nIarchimí, I welcome Mr. Michael Culbert, director, Mr. Thomas Quigley, treasurer, and Mr. John O'Hagan. I must inform them that the evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts are asked to note 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 proceedings should be given and should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible they should neither criticise not 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 the person's or entity's good name. I now call on Mr. Culbert to give his opening statement.