Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I trust members will have received an email from the Ceann Comhairle yesterday on the lifting of Covid restrictions. Insofar as this committee is concerned, the key point to note is that with effect from this week, members and witnesses will have the option of attending meetings within the relevant committee room rather than participating via MS Teams. Room capacity will continue to be reduced in the short term until all microphones and seating can be returned. This will be done as quickly as possible. It is important also to note that masks should continue to be worn by those present when not addressing the committee. I will remind members of this as necessary.

Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege in the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may 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 precincts and, as such, may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses who are physically present. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity, by name or in any 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise nor make charges against any person outside the Houses or any official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to the constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

Today's engagement is with representatives from the Nevin Economic Research Institute, NERI, and Social Justice Ireland. The committee has agreed to examine the indexation of the welfare and taxation system and we have scheduled a series of four public meetings on this topic. I hope we are going to do some very in-depth work on it. The committee intends to discuss several areas of interest, including the rationale for indexation, the creation of an indexation system, the operation of that system and the impact of indexation on budgetary sustainability. We are also hoping to publish a report on that topic. Today is the first of these meetings. On behalf of the committee, I would very much like to welcome: Dr. Tom McDonnell, co-director of NERI, and, representing Social Justice Ireland, I welcome, Dr. Seán Healy, CEO, Ms Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst, and Ms Susanne Rogers, research and policy analyst. I thank the witnesses very much for being with us today. I hope it will be an interesting session. I invite Dr. Healy to make his opening statement on behalf of Social Justice Ireland.