Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Scrutiny of the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill 2018

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We resume scrutiny of the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill 2018. I welcome from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Gary Martin, Ms Theodora Corcoran, Mr. Tommy Murray and Ms Caroline Kiernan. Apologies have been received from Ms Breda Power, assistant secretary with responsibility for the Department's commerce, consumer and competition division. I draw the attention of witnesses 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 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, 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. The presentation submitted by the witnesses has been circulated to members. I ask Mr. Martin to make his opening statement.

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