John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

From the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, I welcome Mr. John Conlon, Ms Patricia Murphy, Mr. Chris Kane, Mr. Jim Lynch, Mr. Dermot Sheridan and Ms Orlaith Mannion. I understand Ms Murphy will make the Department's opening statement on the directive and the employment Bill while Mr. Conlon will make the Department's opening statement on JobPath.

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 ask anyone with a mobile phone to switch it off or turn on flight mode, as otherwise they not only interfere with the meeting but also its recording.

We will take the two opening statements together, with Ms Patricia Murphy first, and then I will refer to members for questions.