David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Anne Ferris and Senator Tony Mulcahy. Deputy Alan Farrell is running late. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the judicial appointments process. I understand a briefing has been circulated to members. I welcome Dr. Laura Cahillane from the School of Law, University of Limerick, and thank her for attending the meeting. She is very welcome. I also welcome Dr. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who is very welcome. We know her of old. I also welcome Dr. David Kenny, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, who did not have too far to travel today. I thank him for attending. I will invite the witnesses to make some opening remarks of about five minutes each, followed by a question-and-answer session with members, which we find the most interesting and productive part of the meeting.
I draw attention to privilege. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act, 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should also be aware that under rules of the Chair 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.