Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Josephine Feehily, Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners. She is accompanied by Mr. Michael Gladney, Collector General, and Ms Vivienne Dempsey, local property tax project manager.

The format of the meeting is that Ms Feehily will make her opening remarks, following which will be a questions and answers session. I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off.

I advise witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter to only 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise nor 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 invite Ms Feehily to begin.