Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and guests to turn off their mobile telephones as the interference from them affects the sound quality and transmission of the meeting. I welcome the Director General, Mr. Carlos Martínez Mongay, back to the committee as he has been here previously. He is accompanied today by Ms María José Doval Tedín, Mr. Stefan Kuhnert, Mr. Gerry Kiely, Mr. Patrick O'Riordan and Mr. Willem Noë. I thank them all for being here today.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss with the Commission the country report for Ireland 2019, which was recently published as part of the European Semester. This is an annual process and ensures that member states comply with the EU economic policy recommendations before national budgets are adopted. Our committee fits into its work ensuring that as well.

We are interested in learning more about the EU Semester, the Commission's views on its country specific recommendations and on the economy in general. It is a good opportunity to have that exchange of views.

Before we get into that exchange of views and ask Mr. Carlos Martínez Mongay to make his opening statement, I draw his attention to the position on privilege. I advise him 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. However, 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 nor 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 invite Mr. Carlos Martínez Mongay to make his opening statement.