Witnesses should be aware that while members have absolute privilege, witnesses before the committee do not enjoy such privilege. The attention of members and witnesses is drawn to the fact that, as and from 2 August 1998, section 10 of the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997, grants certain rights to persons who are identified in the course of the committee's proceedings. These rights include the right to give evidence, the right to produce and send documents to the committee, the right to appear before the committee either in person or through a representative, the right to make a written and oral submission, the right to request the committee to direct the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, and the right to cross-examine witnesses. For the most part these rights may only be exercised with the consent of the committee. Persons being invited before the committee are made aware of these rights and any persons identified in the course of the proceedings who are not present may have to be made aware of these rights and provided with a transcript of the relevant part of the committee's proceedings if the committee considers it appropriate in the interests of justice.
Notwithstanding this provision in the legislation, I remind members of long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in any such way as to make him or her identifiable.
Members are also reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 156 that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies.
I welcome Mr. Duffy. Will you introduce your officials?