Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The committee is meeting to continue its pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the employment permits (consolidation and amendment) Bill 2019. Our first session is with representatives from IBEC and will be followed by a session with representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. From IBEC, I welcome Dr. Kara McGann, head of social policy, and Mr. Rhona Murphy, head of employment law services, and thank them for taking the time to attend.

I remind members, guests and those in the Public Gallery to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off or to flight mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent. In accordance with procedure, I am required to read the following. 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. If, however, 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 are 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. They have been circulated with copies of the presentations submitted by our guests.

I invite Dr. McGann to make her presentation to the committee.