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

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as interference from mobile phones affects sound quality and the broadcast of the meeting. I welcome our witnesses from the Department of Finance, Mr. John Hogan, assistant secretary, who is accompanied by Ms Anna Donegan and Mr. John Palmer, principal officers, Mr. Faris Bader, tax policy analyst, and Mr. Kevin Nolan, assistant principal officer. I thank them for making themselves available to meet the committee. Their attendance is appreciated.

Today we are meeting to discuss the revaluation of the local property tax and ex-postanalysis of commercial stamp duty. We spoke with officials from the Revenue Commissioners at our last meeting on 12 December about the local property tax revaluation and commercial stamp duty. The purpose of this meeting with the officials from the Department of Finance is to undertake that ex-post budget scrutiny and to discuss concerns that the committee flagged last September regarding the revaluation of the local property tax, and the potential sudden increases in local property tax arising from the revaluation process. We will also undertake ex-postanalysis of the commercial stamp duty changes made in budget 2018.

I draw the attention of 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 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.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Hogan to make his opening statement.