John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome from the Department of Finance, Mr. John McCarthy, chief economist; Mr. Rónán Hession, principal officer with responsibility for business tax policy; and Mr. John Palmer, budgetary policy-reporting, economic and budget division; and from the Revenue Commissioners, Mr. Gerry Howard, assistant secretary; Mr. Keith Walsh, principal officer; Ms Jeanette Doonan, principal officer; and Ms Aine Hollingsworth, principal officer. They are present for a review of corporation tax receipts for 2015 and an examination of the stability of the corporation tax base.

Before we begin, I remind witnesses and members to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting of the meeting. I bring to the attention of witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence that they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected to 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 members should not comment on or criticise or make charges against either 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. John McCarthy of the Department of Finance to make his opening submission.