Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

I welcome our witnesses. I must read a note on parliamentary privilege. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts, which does not apply in this particular case, 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 and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter.

Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

With that said and understood, I welcome our witnesses: the chair designate of the board of the Marine Institute, Mr. Martin Sisk, and the CEO of the Marine Institute, Dr. Rick Officer. They are both welcome. The opening statement has been forwarded to all members. Rather than reading the statement, I ask witnesses to take two minutes to give a summary and then we will go to questions and answers.