Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, delegates and those in the Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off or placed in flight mode for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with broadcasting equipment, even when in silent mode.

From the expert group on future skills needs, I welcome Mr. Tony Donohoe, chairman, and Mr. Kevin Daly, principal officer. From the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I welcome Ms Clare Dunne, assistant secretary responsible for workplace regulation and economic migration, and Mr. Rob Walsh, assistant principal in the employment permits section. I also welcome the following delegates from SOLAS: Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, executive director for skills development, and Mr. Andrew Brownlee, executive director for strategy and knowledge. They are all very welcome.

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 joint committee. However, if they are directed to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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 remind the delegates that their presentations should be of no more than five minutes. The presentations have been circulated to members.