David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I ask everybody to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely. Silent mode is not enough as it interferes with the sound system.

The purpose of this meeting is to receive a further briefing concerning two EU proposals and to allow the committee to consider any implications these may have for Ireland. These proposals are COM (2013) 534, proposal for a Council regulation on the establishment of a European public prosecutor's office, and COM (2013) 535, a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Co-operation, Eurojust. Members will have received briefings on these two proposals.

I welcome Mr. Andrew Munro, Mr. David Fennell and Ms Una Murphy from the Department of Justice and Equality. Before Mr. Munro addresses the meeting, I draw the witnesses' attention to the question of privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded 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.

I invite Mr. Munro to make his opening statement on these two proposals. He might tell us what he makes of them and what they are all about. We will have a question and answer session afterwards.