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

Our young guests have a tour booked for 11 a.m., so we will try to do our public business first. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Second, the clerk to the committee proposes eight minutes per group. If we want to go over that, that is fine, but we will start with that anyway. The rotation will be Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Alliance, Independent, Sinn Féin, SDLP and so on. Do we agree that rota? Agreed. I note we have members online as well.

I ask anybody who has a mobile phone to please put it on silent or airplane mode because it may interfere with the communications or recording equipment. I have mine on airplane mode.

It is great to have so many young people here. I was a teacher for many years. I always enjoyed listening and learning from the views of young people. The North South Youth Forum representatives are very welcome. You will be taking over this island soon enough. It is great you are coming here with your colleagues to address us. You are very welcome. I want you to be completely relaxed. We will test your opinions in a friendly and appropriate way. It is great to see you here. It is the first time we have had a full Gallery. The voice of young people North-South is the voice of the future. Your thoughts and views are hugely important to us.

I have to do a couple of little things before we start, if I may. I welcome Claire Ní hUisceith. Is dóigh liom gur sin an leagan ceart. I also welcome Eve Lindsay, Hannah Morton, Sarah Whelan, Eric O’Connell and Cohen Taylor. I thank them for their attendance.

I have to read this parliamentary privilege note. We have to read it to every group that comes in. It is not personal; it applies to everybody. There are limitations in 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 and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given and should respect directions given by the Chair. Witnesses should respect parliamentary practice to the effect, where possible, they should neither criticise nor make charges against any persons, person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech might be regarded as damaging to the person’s or entity’s good name.

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

Iarraim ar Claire tús a chur leis an díospóireacht.