Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to the meeting. Apologies have been received from Deputy Cormac Devlin. The first item is the approval of the minutes of the private and public meetings on 12 and 13 June 2024. We have already approved them in the virtual private meeting but we must do this for procedural reasons. Are they agreed? Agreed.

I will read some formal notices. I remind members of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

Our next business is No. P00036/23, Invincibles Reinterment Campaign, from the National Graves Association. We are meeting with representatives of the National Graves Association: Mr. Aidan Lambert, petitioner and secretary of the Invincibles Reinterment Committee; and Mr. Seán Whelan, chairman of the National Graves Association.

I will 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. They are again 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. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish their opening statements on the committee’s website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Lambert and Mr. Whelan. I suggest that our witnesses make their opening statements of five to ten minutes duration. When the witnesses have finished making their opening statements, we will then have questions and comments from members. Each member will have ten minutes and members may speak more than once. I call on Mr. Lambert to make his opening statement.