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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Pearse Doherty. To limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, the service encourages all Members, visitors and witnesses to continue to wear face masks when moving around the campus or when in close proximity to others and to be respectful of other people's physical space, and they are also asked to adhere to any other public health advice.

Before we begin, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and 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 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that 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 or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an 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 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 meeting is an engagement with representatives from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and I thank them for their presence. The stability programme update, SPU, report is due to be published in mid-April by the Department of Finance and it will set out Ireland's medium-term economic outlook and fiscal plans. Its publication indicates the beginning of the budgetary preparation for budget 2023. The committee will undertake ex ante scrutiny of the SPU to understand the current fiscal context, to engage with stakeholders on these issues and to allow for greater parliamentary engagement and transparency on the budgetary process. Today, the committee will meet with the ESRI to discuss medium-term fiscal and economic outlooks, Exchequer and general government developments and outlooks, general government debt risks facing the economy and the long-term sustainability of the public finances. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Kieran McQuinn, research officer, and Dr. Conor O'Toole, assistant researcher, and I thank them for their attendance.

I invited Dr. McQuinn to make his opening statement.