John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Good morning everyone. As we have a quorum we will begin our meeting in public session. I ask everyone to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode. There will be no private session today. We will deal with any matters arising at our next meeting. I welcome the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, and officials from her Department to the meeting. In a moment I will invite the Minister to make an opening statement and then members will have an opportunity to pose questions.

I draw everyone's 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite the Minister to make her opening statement.