Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I remind members, witnesses and the people in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere greatly with the sound system.

The purpose of today's meeting is to engage with the chairperson-designate of the Western Development Commission, WDC, and consider the past performance and future strategy of the commission. The chairperson-designate of the Western Development Commission, Dr. Deirdre Garvey, will discuss her strategic priorities for the role and her views about the future contribution of the commission. The chief executive and head of regional development, Mr. Ian Brannigan, will discuss the past performances and future strategy of the commission. We will call on the chairman-designate and the chief executive from the Western Development Commission to make their opening statements and I will then invite members to put their questions to the witnesses. I suggest members limit their questions to between three and five minutes but members may speak more than once. Following public session we will have a short private session. Is that agreed? Agreed. It is proposed that opening statements and any other documents supplied by the witnesses to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I will now read some formal notices for the information of witnesses. I draw their attention 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 Chairman 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. 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. I advise the witnesses that any submissions, opening statements or other documents they have supplied to the committee will be published on its website after this 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. As the committee has agreed to publish the opening statements, perhaps the chairperson-designate and chief executive could focus on the main points for approximately ten minutes.