Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We are in public session. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to meet with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission for a general update on its work in the area of Garda oversight and accountability and to hear its views generally on issues and developments in the area of policing oversight including, of course, the report and recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. I welcome once again before the committee Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, chairperson, Mr. Kieran FitzGerald, commissioner and Mr. Patrick Sullivan, commissioner. They are all very welcome here this morning. I will shortly invite them to make their opening statements. Before I do so, I draw the attention of witnesses to the situation on privilege. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee; however if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 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 should be aware that under the Salient Rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring to make her opening statement.