John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome today's witnesses, namely, Ms Maeve McElwee and Ms Rhona Murphy from IBEC and Ms Jean Winters and Mr. Conor O'Connell from the Construction Industry Federation, CIF. I will invite the witnesses to make their opening statements in a couple of moments and then members will have an opportunity to ask a number of questions.

I wish to draw witnesses' attention to the fact 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 a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, the witness is 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. 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I again ask colleagues to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode.

We will start with the first presentation from IBEC. I will then take the second presentation after which we will take questions.