Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The committee is in public session. I welcome Ms Clare McGrath, Chairman of the Office of Public Works, accompanied by Mr. Tony Smyth, director of engineering services, Mr. Mick Long, accountant, and Ms Colette Davis, press officer.
I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. I wish to advise that 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. If witnesses 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. Witnesses 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 or her identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Ms Clare McGrath to make her opening remarks.