Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind people to turn off their mobile telephones. It is not sufficient to put them on silent mode. They need to be turned off because they could cause problems with the broadcasting equipment.

As people will know, the committee is carrying out a series of meetings in regard to what would happen to Ireland in the event of a British exit from the European Union. Prime Minister Cameron said that if elected in May, he will hold a referendum in the UK in 2017 or earlier. We are interested in finding out exactly what that might mean for Ireland. It is important to state that the committee took the decision to examine this issue at this time in view of the potential impact it might have not just on Ireland but on Irish citizens in the UK. We are having a series of meetings to discuss the impact and are talking to a range of academics, politicians and the like.

Today's discussion will focus on the economic interdependence of Ireland and the European Union. The UK is Ireland's most important economic partner with just over one third of Irish imports coming from, and one sixth of Irish exports going to, the UK market. We are delighted to be joined by Mr. Joe Durkan who is from the school of economics at UCD and who is very welcome.

Before we begin, 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.

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. However, if they are directed by it 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 today's 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 or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I remind members that after Mr. Durkan's presentation, we have a number of items of private business to discuss and that the discussion today is not about whether the UK should have a referendum but about the implications of an exit on Ireland. I invite Mr. Durkan to speak.