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

We are in public session. I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. We welcome the witnesses and thank them for joining us. This is part of our pre-budget consultation process, feeding into our pre-budget report. From Dublin Chamber of Commerce we are joined by Ms Mary Rose Burke, CEO. She is accompanied by Mr. Eoin Quigley and Mr. Fergus Sharpe. Chambers Ireland is represented by Mr. Ian Talbot, who is accompanied by Mr. Aidan Doyle.

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.

I invite Ms Burke to make her opening statement.