James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to please switch their mobile phones to silent or flight mode.

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the general scheme of the Garda Síochána (recording devices) (amendment) Bill. We will have engagement with several stakeholders as part of our scrutiny of the general scheme. The scrutiny has been expedited as the matter was referred to the committee before Christmas. We are keen to do due diligence, so we are holding two sessions today. The first will take place now with those present and the second will convene after 6 p.m. We will be tight on time for this session, which will finish at 6 p.m., if not sooner, because we need a break before holding the second session.

Before we begin, I advise members that one of the witnesses has had to withdraw from the today's meeting due to ill health, namely, the representative from Safe Ireland. I wish that representative a speedy recovery. Safe Ireland has participated in our hearings many times in the past, and it is always a useful witness. In any event, we have noted the submission Safe Ireland has provided. It will be taken into account when we produce our report.

I welcome the following witnesses: Mr. David Murphy, deputy commissioner of the Data Protection Commission, DPC; Mr. Andrew Carroll, assistant commissioner, DPC; Mr. Simon McGarr, solicitor with Digital Rights Ireland; Ms Olga Cronin, senior policy officer at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, ICCL; Dr. Cliona Saidléar, executive director of the Rape Council Network Ireland, RCNI; Ms Donna Parau, legal director, RCNI; Mr. Mark Garrett, director general of the Law Society of Ireland; Ms Amiee McCumiskey, member of the Law Society's criminal law committee; Mr. Drew Harris, Garda Commissioner; and Mr. Andrew O'Sullivan, chief information officer with An Garda Síochána. From the Department of Justice, we are joined by Ms Rosaleen Killian, principal officer, and Mr. Frank McNamara, legal researcher. We have a full house today on both sides of the room, which is always conducive to a good session and a useful hearing. I also welcome those in the Public Gallery and the people who are following proceedings online.

The usual procedure applies regarding parliamentary privilege. Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or 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 the good name of the person or entity. If their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they may be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction if given.

As regular attendees will be aware, the format of our meeting is that we will have a short opening round of three minutes per organisation. We find that works better for a wider discussion as we then have time for a further discussion with questions from members and answers from witnesses over the course of the meeting. I will invite each group to make its opening statements in three minute blocks. We will then have a six minute window per member. Members will have the floor for six minutes to put their questions and have them answered. It is up to each member to choose how to use that time, whether to get six minutes of answers or use the six minutes to make submissions.

I will start with the opening statements. Five organisations will make opening statements, beginning with Mr. Murphy from the DPC. I note for all witnesses that there are clocks in the corner to assist them with the time. If they go egregiously over the allocated time, I will call them in. There is a small amount of latitude, but it is small because we have to get through the business.

The witnesses are all welcome. I am delighted to have such a full house today and such accomplished witnesses around the table. It will be an interesting session. I call upon Mr. Murphy to deliver his opening remarks.