John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Once again, I remind everyone about mobile telephones. Either turn them to flight mode or turn them off. They interfere with the meeting and the recording and broadcast of its proceedings.

I wish to 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence regarding a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting, and members are reminded of the long-standing practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome the Department of Social Protection, represented by Ms Helen Faughnan, Ms Jackie Harrington, Mr. Carl O'Rourke and Rita Tighe, to this morning's meeting. The full submission from the Department of Social Protection has been made available to members and, as I said, will be on the website afterwards. I invite Ms Faughnan to summarise the submission, after which colleagues will have a number of questions for her.