Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, to discuss the research and development landscape in Ireland and related issues. The Minister of State has responsibility for research and innovation at the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Education and Skills. I welcome the Minister of State's officials from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Pauline Mulligan, Mr. Aidan Hodson, Ms Anne Coleman Dunne and Ms Fionna Hallinan.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.