John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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 the committee. However, 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 a 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 any person, 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome the Minister to the committee this morning and thank him for attending. I also thank him for his submission which has been circulated to members. His opening statement has been submitted to the committee and it will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. At the outset, he will be aware that this committee has a short life. It was established at the end of April and is due to report in a couple of weeks' time. It is appropriate that we should engage with the Minister because the issue we are addressing requires a co-operative and collaborative approach. We are hoping therefore that the recommendations that will emanate from this committee will be evidence-based. We also hope the Minister will be able to lend impetus to those recommendations by implementing them.

We look forward to the Minister's presentation, following which colleagues will have a number of questions. I thank the Minister again for his attendance before the committee.