Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to ensure their mobile phones are turned off. From the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I welcome Dr. Cecil Beamish, assistant secretary general, Ms Josephine Kelly, principal officer, and Mr. Colm Ó Súilleabháin, assistant principal. I thank them for appearing before the committee to discuss EU legislative proposals COM (2019) 48, proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No. 508/2014 as regards certain rules relating to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund by reason of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union; and COM (2019) 49, proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No. 2017/2403 as regards fishing authorisations for European Union fishing vessels in United Kingdom waters and fishing operations of United Kingdom fishing vessels in Union waters.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 understand Dr. Beamish is going to give us a briefing on the issues so far, which we requested last week.