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

I welcome Mr. John McKeon, assistant secretary at the Department of Social Protection, to discuss the matter of labour activation measures. He is accompanied by Mr. Paul Carroll and Mr. Jim Lynch, principal officers. I propose to ask Mr. McKeon to make some opening remarks. Members will then be invited to address their questions to the officials.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give 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. The opening statement submitted to the committee will be published on its 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 ask all those present to either turn off their mobile phones completely or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the recording and transmission of proceedings.

I invite Mr. McKeon to make his opening statement after which members may ask questions.