117.— (1) A House or committee may examine witnesses for the purposes of any of its functions including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing—

(a) its functions under this Act,

(b) its consideration of a Bill (including a private bill), and

(c) any other function in respect of which the House or committee, as the case may be, considers it appropriate to examine a witness.

(2) A House or committee may administer an oath to a witness examined before the House or committee, as the case may be.

(3) An oath referred to in subsection (2) may be administered by—

(a) in the case of a person to be examined before Dáil Éireann, the Ceann Comhairle or Clerk of Dáil Éireann or a person authorised in writing by the Ceann Comhairle or Clerk of Dáil Éireann to do so,

(b) in the case of a person to be examined by Seanad Éireann, the Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann or a person authorised in writing by the Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann to do so,

(c) in the case of a person to be examined by both Houses acting jointly, the Ceann Comhairle, Clerk of Dáil Éireann, Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann or a person authorised in writing by the Ceann Comhairle, Clerk of Dáil Éireann, Cathaoirleach or Clerk of Seanad Éireann to do so,

(d) in the case of a committee, the chairman of the committee or clerk of the committee or a person authorised in writing by the chairman or clerk to do so, or

(e) a person authorised by rules and standing orders to do so in a case referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) that is applicable.