Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Gina McIntyre, chief executive, Special EU Programmes Body, to this engagement. As a committee, we are anxious to hear what solutions, if any, she has to offer. Many other witnesses have mentioned money. We hope Ms McIntyre has lots of answers.

Before we begin, 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. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her, or it identifiable.

I now invite Ms McIntyre to make her opening statement.