Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's session is to meet officials from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, to discuss two issues: first, the operation of the immigrant investor programme, a matter raised by Deputy Chambers at a previous meeting; and, second, continuing delays in the processing of asylum or international protection applications and the impact of this on the direct provision system.

I welcome from INIS Mr. Michael Kirrane, the director general, Mr. Brian Merriman, principal officer in the INIS policy division, Mr. Davis Costello, the chief international protection officer, Mr. Aonghus O'Connor, principal officer in the citizenship division, and Mr. Neil Ward, principal officer in the corporate affairs division. I also welcome their colleagues in the Public Gallery.

Before beginning, members should be aware that, under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I draw the attention of our witnesses to the situation with privilege. They should please note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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 will once again raise the caution about mobile phones. Could everyone please ensure that they are switched off? They interfere with the recording equipment in committee rooms.

I invite Mr. Kirrane to make his opening statement.