Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are here today with representatives of Fast track to IT, FIT, to review the joint committee's report entitled, Creating Policies that Work, and the concept of an ICT associate professional. I welcome from FIT Mr. Tom Rourke, chairman, Mr. Peter Davitt, CEO, Mr. Paul Sweetman, board director, Mr. Tony O'Donnell, board director, and Mr. George Ryan, chief operations officer.

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 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 person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Mr. Davitt to make a presentation to the committee on the concept of an ICT associate professional.