Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all present to the public session of our meeting this evening. I will read some formal notices as it is a requirement.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement 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 our engagement with Mr. Justice Alan Mahon, Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, and Mr. David O'Connor, head of office for the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

Before we start, I must explain some of the limitations of parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding reference 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. Witnesses are 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 our witnesses. Mr. Justice Mahon will read out an opening statement which will be around ten minutes. We will then have questions and comments from members. Each member will have around ten minutes but we can be flexible. I now call on Mr. Justice Mahon to begin with his opening statement.