Vice Chairman:

I welcome members and witnesses to the meeting.

We have received apologies from the Chairman, Deputy Martin Browne, as well as Senators Craughwell and Warfield. Under the Covid-19 code of conduct for the parliamentary community, published by the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, face masks should continue to be worn when moving around the campus and during the committee meeting, except when speaking. This will help reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading among the parliamentary community. I ask for the full co-operation of witnesses and members in this regard. Are the minutes of the private and public meetings of 27 and 28 April 2022 agreed? Agreed.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member 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 the absence of the Chairman today, I as Vice Chairman do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Vice Chairman of the committee without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.

Before we begin I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of a witness physically present or who gives evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of identifiable persons or entities, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with such a direction.

Before I hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish their opening statements on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the witnesses from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. We have engaged with some of them before. I welcome Mr. Justice Rory MacCabe, chairperson, Commissioner Emily Logan, Commissioner Hugh Hume, and Ms Aileen Healy, director of administration. Mr. Justice MacCabe will have ten minutes for his opening remarks. Then we will have questions and comments from members. Each member will have about ten minutes and may speak more than once if they so wish.