John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery that they should turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, 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 a 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 a Member of either House, a person outside the House or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order No. 163 that they should also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or of the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Ms Róisín Fleming, secretary of the Irish Schools Arts Supply Federation, ISASF, and Ms Breda Gibson. I also welcome Mr. A.J. Noonan, chairman of the Small Firms Association. I call on the witnesses to introduce themselves.