Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are delighted to be joined by the Better Europe Alliance, the representatives of which will discuss the organisation's response to the 2015 country-specific recommendations. Members and guests will be aware that this forms part of the European semester process - the new process for better budget monitoring and enhanced co-ordination between the governments of members states and the Commission in the context of the budget-setting process.

Before we begin, I remind the witnesses that the privilege notice I read out earlier still applies. I welcome our guests, Mr. Paul Ginnell from the European Anti-Poverty Network, Ms Audry Dean from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Ms Joan O'Donnell from the Disability Federation of Ireland.

I understand that Mr. Ginnell is making the opening remarks.