Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members and viewers who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV to the second part of this session of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. We will now discuss the European Commission’s review of the EU governance framework. I welcome to the meeting the economist, Dr. Dirk Ehnts. The format of the meeting is that Dr. Ehnts will make some brief opening remarks, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members.

I will read the note on privilege. 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. Witnesses are again 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 to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a witness’s statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Witnesses attending remotely, from outside the parliamentary campus, have been made aware that full privilege may not apply to them. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such as way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members who are attending remotely of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the place which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings.

I now invite Dr. Ehnts to make his opening remarks.