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

We are now in public session. I pay tribute to a former clerk of Oireachtas committees, Mr. Paul Kelly, who passed away. He was a very dedicated servant to all the parties and served as the clerk to several committees. I chaired one of those, the transport committee. I propose a vote of sympathy to his family and especially to his partner, Julie.

I understand Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has retired from the Oireachtas. On my behalf and that of the committee, I wish him well and good health. He was a very valued member of this Oireachtas committee. Bhí sé ag úsáid na Gaeilge i gcónaí agus is mór dom na díospóireachtaí a bhí againn le chéile. We will miss the Senator's contributions.

We move to the business of the meeting. I welcome our visitors. Joining us from the special EU programmes body, SEUPB, to discuss the PEACEPLUS programme, we have Ms Gina McIntyre, CEO, Mr. Paul Beattie, director of the managing authority, and, online, Mr. Mark Huddleston, PEACEPLUS joint secretariat interim director. I thank them all very much for attending.

I must read the note on parliamentary privilege. 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. They 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 these proceedings should be given and that they should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any 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 the good name of the person or entity.

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.

Before I call Ms McIntyre to make her opening statement, I will explain a few small matters. Speaking time rotates between the parties. The rotation will be a speaker from Fianna Fáil, followed by Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, SDLP, Independents, Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party and so on. Each party or individual has ten minutes for each segment of questions and answers, which will be more informal in that it will be concerned with information and understanding and trying to gain an appreciation of any difficulties the special EU programmes body may have.