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

I welcome Mr. Tim Duggan, assistant secretary, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, who is accompanied Ms Clare Dowling. I also welcome Ms Joan Gordon, chief appeals officer, accompanied by Mr. Brian Duff.

I will invite our guests to make their opening statements shortly following which members will then have an opportunity to ask a number of questions.

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 Chairman 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 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 members 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. Once again, colleagues, I ask that mobile phones might be turned to flight mode or turned off, please.

I call Mr. Duggan to make his opening statement.