Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar son an choiste, cuirim fáilte roimh achan duine do dtí an cruinniú.

On behalf of the committee I welcome: Professor Katy Hayward and Professor David Phinnemore, Queens University Belfast; Professor Peter Shirlow, University of Liverpool; and Dr. Christy Ann Petit and Dr. Ian Cooper, Dublin City University. They are all very welcome. We will discuss the state of play regarding EU-UK relations as well as the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Before we begin, I will read a note on privilege and some housekeeping matters. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members all know the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement.

There are a few more lines there but I think we are all covered.

Before calling on Professor Hayward to make her opening statement, I want to make an appeal. I am conscious of the presence a fellow Ulsterman, although there may be other people who were born in Ulster here as well. Professor Shirlow and I were talking about that common ground in an Ulster context. One things we do not do in Ulster is tell people what to do, so I am encouraging the witnesses to stay within the confines of the five minute opening statement because this is a proactive committee. Members like engagement and asking questions. They like getting involved and they like conversation. We have a wide array of talent and expertise here today and a lot of ground to cover, so I am appealing to, and encouraging, witnesses to try to stay as close as possible to five minutes in their opening statements. I am not telling them to do so but I am appealing to them.

I call Professor Hayward. There is no pressure on her, but she could certainly set a very good and positive precedent here. She is very welcome and we look forward to her opening statement.