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.