Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones, as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report the meeting. Television coverage and web streaming will also be adversely affected.

I have received apologies from Senator McDowell, but I welcome everyone else to the first meeting of the joint committee. I congratulate the newly elected Members who are joining us. It is a great honour for me to Chair this committee and I look forward to working with everyone positively and constructively.

We are meeting European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip regarding the digital single market. I propose that, after our meeting with him in public session, we hold a short private session. Is that agreed? Agreed. I propose that Mr. Ansip speak for ten to 15 minutes, followed by a questions and answers session in which each member may ask a question or make a comment not exceeding three minutes. I am conscious that Mr. Ansip needs to attend another meeting at 1 p.m., so we might keep that in mind. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss with Mr. Ansip the progress in the completion of the digital single market at EU and national levels. Its completion has been identified by the Commission as one of its top ten political priorities and Ireland is committed to playing its part in the completion of such a single market. The value of the digital single market to the European economy is estimated to be approximately €400 billion per annum. As such, it is hoped that Ireland's economy will in turn benefit from its completion. This meeting presents an opportunity for the committee to get an update from Mr. Ansip on the progress to date and Ireland's performance in the digital single market compared with other member states. Ireland is ranked eighth of the 28 in terms of digitalisation and is performing better than the EU average, but it is improving at a slower rate than the EU as a whole.

I welcome Mr. Ansip and we are delighted to have him present. We look forward to his opening state. I wish to draw his attention to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if he is directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continues to do so, he is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. He is 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, he should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise him that any submission or opening statement that he makes to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. 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 Mr. Ansip to make his opening statement. He may wish to introduce his officials.