Chairman:

I welcome Professor Alan Barrett, director of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and his colleagues Dr. John Curtis and Dr. Kelly de Bruin here this afternoon. Before we commence formal proceedings, I will begin with some formalities and to advise our witnesses on the matter of privilege. I advise the witnesses 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. 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 a 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 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.

Finally members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise, or make charges against a person outside the House, or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now call on Professor Barrett to make his opening statement.