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

Before we begin, I remind everyone to turn off their mobile phones. I welcome Mr. Jim Miley, director general of the Irish Universities Association, IUA. He is accompanied by Mr. Michael Casey, finance director of the IUA. We thank them for making themselves available to meet the committee. The purpose of this session is pre-budget scrutiny and consideration of issues raised in the IUA's submission. I will ask the witnesses to give their opening statement in a moment but I first must deal with the normal housekeeping matter of privilege. I draw the 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 they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected to 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 either 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. Miley to make his opening statement.