Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask that people switch their mobile telephones off rather than leaving them on silent mode, because they will interfere with the recording equipment. We have received apologies from Deputy Crowe.

The first item on our agenda is a discussion on the social dimension of the economic and monetary union, EMU. I welcome representatives of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI; IBEC; and European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland. We have Professor Tim Callan, associate research professor at the ESRI; Mr. Philip O'Connor, chairperson of European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland; and Mr. Tony Donohoe, head of education, innovation and social policy at IBEC. As we know, there is a growing debate at European and Irish levels on how social indicators can play a role in EMU. We have had a communication from the Commission very recently setting out its thoughts on how this can be done. Last week we were lucky enough to have a representative from the Commission talk to us about what the indicators should include. We have had one meeting with representatives of Irish bodies. Last week we heard the perspectives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, and Dr. Seán Healy of Social Justice Ireland on this topic. Today we look forward to hearing the valuable perspectives of the ESRI, IBEC and the European Anti-Poverty Network. The views they express will form part of a contribution we will make to the European institutions on the social dimensions of EMU. That contribution will hopefully be made by Christmas.

Members are reminded 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. 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. However, 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 should be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not name or criticise any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.