Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Select Committee on Standing Order 112

Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals

2:30 pm

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For the purposes of the broadcasting services, I draw members' attention to the necessity to switch off mobile phones or put them in safe, airplane or flight mode. It is not sufficient simply to put them in silent mode.

Today the committee will consider two new EU draft legislative proposals as outlined on the agenda, one of which is listed for further consideration, COM (2016) 198. We are joined by officials from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to assist us in our consideration of this proposal. The directive concerns the disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches. The committee has examined it twice before and at the last meeting it was decided to seek additional information. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Sabha Greene and Mr. John Moynihan from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

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 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 the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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.

Members are reminded 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.

I invite Ms Greene to make her opening statement.

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