Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Today's business is to engage with Ms Susan McKay, the Press Ombudsman, to discuss the 2021 annual report of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and related matters.

Ms McKay is very welcome to the committee. I thank her very much for her time. I apologise for the delay of a few minutes in getting started.

I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses with regard to references to other persons witnesses may make in their evidence. 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. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person 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 the good name of the person or entity.

Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish the opening statement on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend again a warm welcome to Ms McKay, our press ombudsman, who is here to discuss the 2021 annual report of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman and related matters. I invite her to make her opening statement, after which she can take some questions.