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

We are now in public session. I welcome Mr. Tim Duggan, assistant secretary at the Department of Social Protection, who is here to discuss the matter of pensions. He is accompanied by Ms Helen McDonald, principal officer, Mr. Robert Nicholson, principal officer, and Mr. Darragh Doherty, assistant principal officer.

I wish to draw the attention of witnesses 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 the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they 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. 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind people to switch off their mobile phones so that the recording and broadcasting of these proceedings will not be adversely affected.

I now ask Mr. Duggan to make his opening statement, following which members of the committee will have a number of questions for him. The opening statement will be published on the committee's website after the meeting.