Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform

Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion

2:30 pm

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to discuss the Annual Growth Survey 2015, the Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe. I welcome from the Department of Finance Mr. John McCarthy, chief economist, and Mr. John Hogan, assistant secretary, banking division. The format is that they will make some opening remarks which will be followed by a question and answer session. I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings.

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 joint 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 is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an 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 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 ask the delegates to restrict their presentations to a maximum of ten to 15 minutes, if possible, so as to answer the maximum number of questions from members.

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