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

We will resume in public session. I welcome from IBEC: Mr. Fergal O'Brien, director of policy and public affairs; Mr. Ger Brady, senior economist; and Alison Wrynn, who is seated somewhere at the back of the room. They will be dealing with the macroeconomic outlook, labour market developments, public capital investment and budgetary priorities. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as the interference affects sound quality and the recording of the meeting.

I want to bring to the attention of the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 Mr. O'Brien to make his opening statement.