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

We are now in public session. Session three is a meeting with Mr. Paul Cullen, principal officer, from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, to discuss COM (2014) 221. It is a proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a European platform to enhance co-operation in the prevention and deterrence of undeclared work. Members will recall that, at our meeting on 13 May, it was agreed to scrutinise it further.
I welcome Mr. Cullen to the meeting. In accordance with procedure, I am required to inform him of the following. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 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. For the third time today, 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, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I could almost recite that without looking at it.
I call on Mr. Cullen to make his presentation to the committee. There will be a short opportunity for any questions, if necessary afterwards, from members.