John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind those present, including members, witnesses and the those in the Visitors Gallery, to turn off their mobile phones because they can interfere with the quality of the transmission.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 Member of either House, a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the provision within Standing Order 158 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies.

I welcome the witnesses from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The members of the committee agreed to ask them to attend to give them an opportunity to put their case and explain their views about all of the allowances about which we have heard from the various Accounting Officers. It is important for them to be in attendance to bring balance to the discussion we are having. I thank them for coming and ask Mr. Cody to introduce his colleagues and make an opening statement.