Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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This meeting has been convened to consider matters relating to the consultation paper on the establishment of an electoral commission in Ireland.

It is proposed that this part of the meeting will conclude at 3.30 p.m., unless previously concluded, and that there will be a break of about five minutes to allow witnesses for session 2 to take their places. Session 2 will conclude at 4.45 p.m., if not previously concluded, and the committee will then go into private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome Dr. Liam Weeks, department of government, University College Cork, Mr. Jimmy McMeel, principal officer at the Department of Finance, and Mr. Paul Lambert, solicitor and author of Data Protection Law in Ireland: Sources and Issues.

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. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

It is proposed that all the opening statements and any other documentation supplied be published on the committee website after the meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I invite Dr. Weeks to make his opening statement.