Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Buttimer.

The Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, have published a Covid-19 code of conduct for the parliamentary community, March 2022. Face masks should continue to be worn when people are moving around the campus and during the meeting except when speaking. This will help to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading among the parliamentary community.

I propose that we approve the minutes of the private and public meetings held on 24 and 28 April 2022, which have already been approved at a virtual meeting. We must do this for procedural reasons. Is that 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, in order 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.

Our next business will be the committee's engagement with Mr. James Walsh, a petitioner. Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. The witness is reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that he 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 any of Mr. Walsh's statement is potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, he will be directed to discontinue his remarks. It is imperative that he complies with any such direction. Before we hear from our witness, I propose we publish his statement on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Walsh. I invite him to make an opening statement for approximately ten minutes. We will then have questions and comments from members. Each member will have approximately ten minutes. That will allow for members to come back in a second time, if they want to. I invite Mr. Walsh to make his opening statement.