John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and his officials from the Department of Finance. From the Revenue Commissioners, I welcome Mr. Gerry Howard, Mr. Gerard Moran, Mr. Brian Boyle and the officials who are accompanying them. They are here to assist the committee in its consideration of budget 2017 and, in particular, to address revenue raising proposals.

Before we begin, I remind members and delegates to turn off their mobile phones as the interference caused by them affects sound quality and the transmission of proceedings. I draw attention to the fact the witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If, however, they are directed 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 or 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 either inside or outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask the Minister for Finance to make his opening statement.