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

I welcome members of the National Competitiveness Council, including the chairman, Professor Peter Clinch. They will be dealing with competitiveness issues, including economic growth. Before we begin, I ask members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the transmission and recording of meetings.

I 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 apologise to Professor Clinch for the delay and invite him to make his opening comments.