Chairman:

Today, we are joined by officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, namely, Ms Kathleen Stack, Ms Deirdre Shanley and Mr. Jim Lynch. You are all welcome. Members have already been circulated with the opening statement. I will call on Ms Stack to make her opening comment in a moment. Members will then be invited to address questions to the officials.

I wish to draw the attention of the witnesses 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 you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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 statement 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.

If you have mobile telephones, please turn them off.