This is an order of the committee, and I'd like to follow the order of the committee.
We have a witness before us. To the witness I will say that I know that you've brought in your legal counsel. Parliamentary privilege rules on the rights and duties of witnesses say:
Witnesses giving testimony who wish to be assisted by counsel must ask leave of the committee, although permission is seldom sought. Counsel is restricted to an advisory role and may not ask questions or reply on the witness' behalf.
I would like to seek the committee's permission for legal counsel to stay. Is the committee in agreement that we can let Mr. Groot stay?