John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile telephones and to keep them away from the microphones on the desk because they interfere with the sound quality of the transmission of the meeting.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. 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 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 nor make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the Houses, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind Members of the provision within Standing Order 163 that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Ms Josephine Feehily, chairman of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, and invite her to introduce her colleagues.