John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are joined by the Minister, Deputy McGrath, from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Mr. David Moloney, acting Secretary General of that Department. I ask members to turn off their mobile phones. I remind them that for identification purposes and for the recording of the meeting that they should remove their face masks when making a contribution.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the recently sanctioned salary increase for the position of Secretary General at the Department of Health. There are other issues but I suggest we first deal with that matter fully before we move on to any other matter.

I ask members to note that there are limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards references they make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, today's witnesses are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary proceedings. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal prosecution from proceedings as a witness physically present does.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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, or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. That generally covers the note on privilege.

I invite the Minister to make an opening statement.