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

Apologies have been received from Senator Black. As usual, I will go through the rota for people here. Fianna Fáil will be first - Senator Blaney is in a vote at present - followed by Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, SDLP, Alliance, Green Party, Sinn Féin, Labour Party, Independents, Aontú, etc. If it is agreed, we will allocate 15 minutes for each party or group, which may be adjusted depending on the time. Is that rota agreed? Agreed.

Today, we continue our meeting on the architects of the Good Friday Agreement. We have met already with a range of people and we will continue to meet others going forward.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome former Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton; John was deeply involved in the Northern Ireland peace process in the years leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. John's participation today provides an important opportunity for the committee to hear his perspective on what happened and what, maybe, should happen and to capture the lessons that we need to learn from the peace process.

On a personal level, it was a privilege to be a member of Fine Gael when John was our leader. It was an exciting time for our country all those years.

On parliamentary privilege, there is a standard commentary every Chairman has to make. Before we begin, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses. 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 this matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the 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, persons 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 or entity's good name.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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, her or it identifiable.

Before I call on John to make his opening statement, I want to explain to him that our committee involves participation voluntarily by members who are elected in Northern Ireland.

A number of them are online, including Mr. Paul Maskey and Mr. Mickey Brady. I think Dr. Stephen Farry from the Alliance Party is there. As they get involved in the debate, if John cannot see them on the announcement, he will see them on the screen.

I invite him to make his opening statement.