Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Members will recall that the general scheme of the companies (corporate enforcement authority) Bill was referred to this committee on 4 December. At our meeting on 22 January, we agreed that it would undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme. I welcome the officials from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation: Ms Sabha Greene, Ms Eadaoin Collins, Ms Helen Curley, Mr. Matthew Day and Mr. John Maher.

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 committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 they are 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 witnesses that the presentation should be no longer than ten minutes. Members have been given copies of the presentation submitted by today's attendees. I now invite Ms Greene to make the presentation on behalf of the Department.