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

I welcome the witnesses to the meeting. From the Department of Social Protection we are joined by Mr. John McKeon, Ms Kathleen Stack, Mr. Tim Duggan, Ms Helen McDonald and Mr. Brian Duff. I thank them all for joining us this morning.

Members have already been circulated with the opening statement as well as a document. I ask Mr. McKeon to make the Department's opening statement. Members will then be invited to address their questions. I ask colleagues to please confine their questions to a few minutes to ensure we get through this matter in detail.

I wish to draw attention 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.

The opening statements submitted will be published on the committee website after the meeting. 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 remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode.

I will start with the opening statement by Mr. McKeon. He does not need to read out the attachment as it has been circulated. I call on him to make his opening statement.