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

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound quality of the transmission of the meeting. This applies particularly to those who leave their mobile phones on the desk in front of the microphone which picks up the noise which means the proceedings cannot be transmitted properly. We continually receive reminders during our meetings from members of the media to the effect that they cannot hear what is being said.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses 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 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 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 163 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 Mr. Brian Murphy, chief executive officer of the National Development Finance Agency, and ask him to introduce his officials.