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

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I welcome from Social Justice Ireland Dr. Seán Healy, Ms Michelle Murphy and Mr. Eamon Murphy; from the Nevin Economic Research Institute Dr. Tom McDonnell, senior economist, and Ciarán Nugent; and from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Mr. Ger Gibbons, social policy and legislative officer. I thank them all for making themselves available to meet the committee today. As part of our pre-budget consultation process, we are holding two sessions today to meet selected national stakeholders. We will hold further sessions in September. We will ask each of the witnesses to make an opening statement and then members will ask questions.

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 in relation to 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Dr. Healy to make his opening statement.