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

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as interference caused by them affects the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome members of the European Commission to our meeting: Mr. Carlos Martínez Mongay and Ms Polona Gregorin from the Directorate General of Economic and Financial Affairs, who are accompanied by Mr. Gerry Kiely, head of representation in Dublin, and Mr. Patrick O'Riordan. I am conscious of the fact that the witnesses are on a timeline and that we need to finish by 3.50 p.m. Members of the committee will be conscious of that, but we want to have as full as possible an exchange with the witnesses.

In March 2018, the Commission published its country report on Ireland. It is an in-depth review of the macroeconomic situation in Ireland. Last week the Commission published its country-specific recommendations, CSRs. Member states are expected to have regard to these recommendations as part of the budget, and I know that the witnesses have been engaged in consultation with others today on those recommendations.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the select committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 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. Martínez Mongay to make his opening statement.