Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and his officials to the meeting to discuss the Supplementary Estimates for 2023.

Before we begin, I want to explain some limitations on parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references that may be made to another person in their absence. This is very official. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair - I did not know I had this duty but it is interesting to know - to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they do not adhere to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting, the ultimate censure. As a former Ceann Comhairle use to say, a little bit of levity does not go astray.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.