Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and his officials to the committee where we will continue with the Committee Stage of the Finance (No. 2) Bill. I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. This is important because it causes serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. 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. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. It is important to note that in order to participate in a division in committee, members must be physically present.