Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome the witnesses and Senators to this third day of public hearings of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on the topic of the constitutional future of the island of Ireland. We began in July with a public invitation to everybody to make submissions. People of all backgrounds and communities were invited to engage with this process. We welcome everybody who made submissions. We were not able to invite everyone to participate in the public sessions, but we thank them. A copy of the committee's report will be given to the witnesses who are here today and to all the other witnesses. We had more than 45 speakers last Friday. For the benefit of the witnesses who are here now, I would like to let them know that that will not happen today.

We are delighted to start with our other voices segment this morning. I welcome the witnesses, Ms Karen Jardine and Reverend Daniel Kane from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Reverend Steven Foster from the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Reverend Dr. Norman Hamilton from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. They are most welcome. We look forward to hearing what they have to say. Senators will have questions to put to them.

We have a procedural matter which I have to address first with regard to the reading out of this statement. I remind witnesses 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 them identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or that entity.

Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to identifying a person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

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 him, her or them identifiable.

To commence proceedings in this session, I invite my good friend the Reverend Dr. Hamilton to begin.