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

Apologies have been received from Senator Emer Currie. Today we continue our meetings on our Architects of the Good Friday Agreement project. We have met with a range of people involved in the peace process negotiations, both politicians and officials. On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome Ms Liz O'Donnell, former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and the present chairperson of the Road Safety Authority. You are very welcome. Ms O'Donnell was deeply involved in the peace negotiations leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and her participation today is an important opportunity for the committee to capture lessons learned from the peace process.

Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practices of the Houses regarding references you may make to other persons. The evidences 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 locations outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, 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 should be given, and 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 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, her or it identifiable.

I now call on Ms Liz O'Donnell to make her opening statement.