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

I welcome to our second session the various delegates, to whom I apologise for the overrun of our first session. We appreciate their waiting. From IBEC we are joined by Mr. Fergal O'Brien who is accompanied by Mr. Gerard Brady. From the Construction Industry Federation we are joined by Mr. Pat Lucey who is accompanied by Mr. Tom Parlon and Ms Jeanette Mair. I thank all them for making themselves available to us. This meeting is part of our pre-budget consultation process. We have invited a number of key stakeholders to engage in a discussion with us. We will be doing more of this in September.

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 by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 ask Mr. O'Brien to make his opening statement.