Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Catherine Heaney, chairperson, Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, Stakeholder Forum; Ms Bernadette Phelan, head of advisory service, Business in the Community Ireland, a forum member; and, from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Céline McHugh,and Ms Deborah Dignam.

I remind members, visitors and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are turned off or switched to flight mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting and recording equipment, even when left in silent mode.

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 the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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.

Members have been provided with a copy of the presentation and briefing documents submitted by the attendees. I ask Ms Heaney to make her presentation to the committee.