Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Andrew McDowell, vice president of the European Investment Bank, EIB, and Mr. Cormac Murphy who is head of the EIB Dublin office. We will be looking at the issue of capital investment. Before I begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. Interference from mobile phones affects sound quality and transmission.

I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence relating to 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 with the subject matter of the 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.

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. McDowell to make his opening statement.