John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. The interference from mobile phones affects the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I welcome Mr. Fergal O'Brien, director of policy and chief economist with IBEC. He is accompanied by Mr. Gerard Brady, senior economist. I thank the witnesses for making themselves available to meet the committee. Meetings with a range of national stakeholders will be held in advance of budget 2019 to discuss their budget priorities and challenges.

Before we hear the opening statement, I will draw the attention of witnesses to the position on privilege.

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 committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not 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. O'Brien to make his opening statement.