Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council: Professor John McHale, chairman, Professor Alan Barrett, council member, Mr. Sebastian Barnes, council member, Dr. Donal Donovan, council member, and Mr. Diarmaid Smyth, chief economist. Dr. Róisín O'Sullivan is unable to attend today's meeting and has sent her apologies. Ms Rachel Joyce is also in attendance.

The format of the meeting is that Professor McHale will make some opening remarks, followed by a question and answer session. I remember members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off. I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing rule of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Professor McHale to begin.