Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I believe Deputy Brendan Smith lost a brother. I propose a vote of sympathy for him. The committee will join in that.

To explain to our guests, we rotate speakers. The order is Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and Aontú. We give about 15 minutes to each political party. It is a very relaxed forum and we are very happy to take it at the guests' pace. Is the rotation agreed? Agreed.

Today we continue our meetings with the architects of the Good Friday Agreement. All three of our witnesses today made an immense contribution to the peace process and negotiations on the Good Friday Agreement. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Wally Kirwan, retired senior official at the Department of the Taoiseach; H.E. Dr. Eamonn McKee, senior official in the Department of Foreign Affairs who is joining us online and who is currently serving as Ireland's ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas; and Dr. Martin Mansergh, former Minister of State, Member of Parliament and political adviser, and, of course, a Tipperaryman, which we must not forget.

There are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, witnesses and participants who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts does, and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that evidence connected only with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given. They should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should neither criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to that person or entity's good name.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirements that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in meetings.

I shall call on our witnesses in the following order: Mr. Kirwan, Dr. McKee and Dr. Mansergh. They are all very welcome. I am delighted they are attending and we will be happy to hear their contributions as they wish to give them.