Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Bruton. I request that Members sit only in their permitted seats and in front of available microphones to ensure they are heard. This is important as not doing so causes serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. I also remind them to maintain social distancing at all times during and after the meeting. Members are asked to use the wipes and hand sanitiser provided to clean seats and desks, to supplement regular sanitisation in the breaks between meetings. As usual, documentation for the meeting, including the Minister's opening statement, has been circulated on Microsoft Teams.

The Dáil ordered on 11 November that the further Revised Estimate for Vote 32, Business, Enterprise and Innovation, be referred to this committee for consideration. Today we will discuss this with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who I welcome to his first trip to our committee.

Before we start, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and to the practice of the Houses as regards references made to persons in witnesses' evidence. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action taken based on what they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are defamatory to an identified person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with this direction.

I invite the Tánaiste to make brief opening comments on the Revised Estimate.