Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As we are in public session, will people check that their mobile telephones are switched off as they interfere with the equipment if switched on? Today we will continue our consideration of the five presidents' report, Completing Europe's Economic and Monetary Union. This is the blueprint for further economic and political integration in the EU and in the eurozone. I am delighted to be joined today by Professor Gavin Barrett from University College, Dublin, and Mr. Seamus Coffey from University College, Cork, who will be assisting the committee with our considerations. I welcome both witnesses on behalf of committee members. Professor Barrett specialises in European law and Dr. Coffey specialises in economics. We look forward to hearing their views on the five presidents' report.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against a person or body 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I congratulate Mr. Coffey on his appointment to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, which will take effect from January.