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

On the latest public health guidance relating to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the Ceann Comhairle has advised that committee members and witnesses have the option of attending meetings in the relevant committee rooms or participating from the Leinster House complex via Microsoft Teams. Room capacity will continue to be reduced in the short term until all microphones and seating can be returned. It is important also to note that masks should continue to be worn by those present when not addressing the committee. We have received no apologies, which is good.

We are going to examine the 2022 Estimates for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I welcome to the meeting the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar, who is participating online from within the Leinster House complex. We appreciate the comprehensive briefing materials that have been provided by the Minister's Department for today's discussion. Those materials have been circulated to all committee members.

Before we start I want to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references that witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse that privilege. It is my duty as Chair to ensure privilege is not abused. 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 that they comply with any such direction.

I now invite the Minister to make a brief opening statement on the Revised Estimates, which have been circulated to all members.