Vice Chairman (Deputy Liam Twomey):

Our business today involves an assessment of the various measures relating to the effective rate of corporation tax in Ireland. I welcome Professor Jim Stewart, associate professor in finance, Trinity College Dublin, and Ms Cora O'Brien, policy director and director of technical services, Irish Tax Institute. The sub-committee will first hear opening statements by Professor Stewart and Ms O'Brien and then engage in a question and answer session.
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 sub-committee.

However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on not criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Would Professor Stewart like to begin?