John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Philip Crampton, president; Mr. Michael Stone, senior vice president; Mr. Tom Parlon, director general; Mr. Hubert Fitzpatrick, director; and Mr. Dominic Doheny, vice president, of the Construction Industry Federation to the meeting to discuss the effects of the black economy on the construction industry.

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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Crampton to make his presentation following which I will invite members to ask question. I ask that the presentation be limited to ten minutes in order to allow more time for questions from members. I will remind him when there is one minute remaining. I am anxious to deal with this promptly as we have another group presenting later.