Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am back in the Chair as Deputy Cahill had to leave to attend to some business. Mr. Paul Price, a research assistant at Dublin City University, has joined us. I apologise for keeping him waiting. The previous section of the session ran over time.

I will read the note on privilege before we begin.

The witness is attending from outside the parliamentary precincts so unlike witnesses present on the campus, he may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who gives evidence from within the parliamentary precincts. He may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on that matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses, outside of the proceedings held by the committee, of any matters arising from the proceedings.

Members of both committees 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 of the Oireachtas or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterance of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no such assurances when members are participating online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of that when they are contributing.

I call Mr. Price to deliver his opening statement.