Chairman:

I welcome the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty - it will take a little time to get used to that title - and I thank her for attending. She is accompanied by Mr. John McKeon, who was recently appointed Secretary General of the Department; Mr. Tim Duggan, assistant secretary; Mr. Ciarán Lawler; Ms Roshin Sen; and Mr. Tony Crean. They are all very welcome.

Members have been circulated with the opening statements and I will ask the Minister to make her opening statement shortly. Before that, I wish to draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, 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 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 to the committee 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.

Once again, I remind colleagues to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode. We have received the Minister's opening statement and I invite her to speak. I will then allow colleagues five minutes each to put questions; I will be strict on that time today. If there is time remaining after that, I will allow them follow up questions but to be fair to everybody, I will give them five minutes each at the outset.