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

I welcome from the Construction Industry Federation Mr. Dominic Doheny, president; Mr. Pat Lucey, senior vice president; Mr. Philip Crampton, chairman, investment taxation and public spending committee; Mr. Tom Parlon, formerly of this parish, director general; and Mr. Hubert Fitzpatrick, director. They have been asked to give evidence to help the committee in its review of the capital plan.

I remind members and delegates to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality of the transmission of the proceedings. The presentation can be limited to ten minutes and will be followed by questions from members. Will members, please, ask questions rather than make statements?

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 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.

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. Doheny to make his opening statement.