Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Ó Donnghaile, Mr. Colum Eastwood MP and Senator Mullen.

I propose to call members in the following rotation: Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the SDLP, the Alliance, the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Independents and Aontú. Is that agreed? Agreed. It is a 50-minute cycle. If members are happy to proceed, we will introduce our guests first and deal with our other business later.

Our engagement today is with Ms Gráinne Teggart, Northern Ireland deputy director of Amnesty International UK, to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill and the UK Government's threats to the Human Rights Act. Ms Teggart is joined by Mr. Eugene Reavey and Mr. Michael O'Hare. On behalf of the committee, I very much welcome them. This is a hugely important occasion for all of us.

I must read out the citation or rules on parliamentary privilege for everybody. I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards 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. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts does and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on that matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings should be given. They should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should neither criticise nor 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 that person's or entity's good name.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that we 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. That is just a normal statement I make to protect everybody and what we all do and say here in the Parliament.

I welcome again Ms Teggart and invite her to make her opening statement. Thank you for coming, Ms Teggart.