Céad míle fáilte roimh gach éinne. Before we begin, it is my duty to bring, as I do at every meeting, the attention of the members and the witnesses to a number of items regarding privilege. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's discretion. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts - such as somebody joining on Microsoft Teams, for example - 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. They may consider it appropriate to get legal advice themselves. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.
I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via Microsoft Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm to me verbally that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. Members are 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, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.
Sula dtosaimid ár ngnó inniu, tá rud éigin truamhéalach a thit amach le cúpla lá anuas. Before we begin our business today, I take a few moments to mark the very sad loss of fisherman Kevin McCloskey, who tragically died at sea last week off the coast of Donegal. On behalf of this committee I send our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and to his community. His loss is felt not only in Donegal but in coastal communities right across this island where it stirs memories of our own painful loses and reminds us all of the dangers faced daily by those who work the sea. To Kevin's family, we send our love, our support and our solidarity. To the fishing community in and around Killybegs and Donegal, and to the wider fishing sector, we offer our sympathy and our respects. I also wish to acknowledge all those who took part in the search and recovery operation, namely, the statutory agencies, the lifeboat crews, the volunteers, and Kevin's fellow fishermen who worked tirelessly to bring him home to his family.
I invite members to stand for a moment's reflection. I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn.
