Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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The committee is sitting in its capacity as the Joint Sub-Committee on the Ombudsman to consider the 2012 annual report of the Office of the Ombudsman. I remind all present, including members, the media and those in the Public Gallery that mobile phones and BlackBerry devices must be turned off completely because they interfere with the sound system even when in silent mode.

I welcome the delegation from the Office of the Ombudsman. We are pleased to welcome Ms Emily O'Reilly, Ombudsman, who will present the annual report of the Office of the Ombudsman for the last time in her current role. On behalf of the committee members I wish to congratulate Ms O'Reilly on her new appointment to the position of European Ombudsman and to wish her every success. We are very proud that an Irish person has been elected to that position and it is a tribute to the fantastic work of the Office of the Ombudsman. It is hoped Ireland can continue the good work.

I welcome Ms Bernie McNally, director general, and Mr. Fintan Butler, senior investigator, Office of the Ombudsman. I thank the Ombudsman for forwarding her presentation which has been circulated to members.

I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or 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 any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.