Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The agenda for this next session is a discussion on EU COM (2025) 236. Before I commence, I remind the witnesses that 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 that witnesses have a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at the 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 and 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 precinct are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication of witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

We will now begin our discussion on COM (2025) 236, proposal for a regulation of European Parliament and the Council amending EU Regulation No. 2021/2115. The committee will hear from the following officials from the Department: Ms Sinéad McPhillips; Ms Gaëlle O'Flynn; and Mr. Cormac McGann. They have two minutes to deliver their opening statement and then we will proceed to questions and answers.