Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have a briefing session on the general scheme of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024. To provide us with a briefing on the general scheme, I welcome Mr. Andrew Munro, assistant secretary, and Ms Mary McKenna, principal officer, from the Department of Justice to our meeting. The format of the meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to provide the committee with a brief overview of the proposed legislation and then we can take questions from members.

Before the opening statement is delivered I wish to advise of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, 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 that person or entity. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the speaker will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

I call Mr. Munro to brief the committee on this matter and then we can take contributions from members.