Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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That is fine. I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for outlining the Bill today and for his briefing note on it. Have all witnesses and members received a copy of that? The note puts the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill into context for our discussions.

Normally we would have to suspend to allow our witnesses to take their seats but they have beaten us to it. I welcome from the Equality and Rights Alliance its chairperson, Mr. Niall Crowley, as well as board members Mr. Damien Walshe and Ms Anne Lyne. I also welcome from IBEC Ms Maeve McElwee, director of employer relations, and Ms Nichola Harkin, employment law solicitor. They are all very welcome and I hope I got their titles correct.

The format of the meeting is that both groups are invited to make their opening statements. This will be followed by a question-and-answer session, which the witnesses can field as they are most comfortable within their respective groupings.

I 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 this 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.

I ask Mr. Crowley to make his opening statement on behalf of the Equality and Rights Alliance.