Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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This is the 78th meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. The first item on our agenda is a discussion on the subject of democratic legitimacy and accountability in the EU with Dr. Sonia Piedrafita, a research fellow with the Centre of European Policy Studies, CEPS, in Brussels. Our guest has travelled from Brussels to be with us and we thank her for attending.

The CEPS is a leading Brussels-based think tank with a particular focus on issues relating to European integration. We have held a number of meetings on this topic. We look forward to Dr. Piedrafita's contribution.

Before we begin, I must read out the privilege notice. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, the witness is protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence she is to give the committee. If she is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and she continue to so do, she is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of her evidence. She is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and she is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, she should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Even though we are sure that none of these warnings will in any way apply to Dr. Piedrafita, I must read it. I invite her to make her opening contribution, after which everyone will comment.