Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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We will have a number of sessions over the course of today in our public consultation on the draft heads of the general scheme of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2012. This is the first session, which is to conclude at 11.30 a.m. at the latest. I welcome from the National Union of Journalists Mr. Gerry Curran, cathaoirleach of the Irish executive council; Mr. Séamus Dooley, Irish secretary; Mr. Michael Brennan, Dublin branch; Ms Emma O'Kelly, chair of the Dublin broadcasting branch; Mr. Ken Foxe, Dublin branch and the Mail on Sunday; and Mr. Colm Ó Mongáin, vice chair and member of the RTE trade union group. Mr. Curran will make some opening remarks, which we will follow with a question and answer session. I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off.

I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and he or she continues to do so, that witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I now invite Mr. Curran to make his opening statement.