Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Item 8 on the agenda is public consultation on the draft heads of the general scheme of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2012. I welcome Mr. Ed Hammond from the Centre for Public Scrutiny in the UK. I believe Mr. Hammond is available to make some opening commentary following which there will be a question and answer session which will tap into your expertise on this issue.

I wish to advise the witness that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, he is protected by absolute privilege in respect of his evidence to the committee. However, if he is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, he is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. The witness is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and is asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, he 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I thank Mr. Hammond for joining us this afternoon and invite him to make some opening comments, after which committee members will engage with him.