Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to our guests for the delay. A vote was called. The necessity to attend in the House for votes can disrupt our meetings. I welcome Ms Marie Donnelly and Professor John FitzGerald from the Climate Change Advisory Council and Dr. Kelly de Bruin and Dr. Niall Farrell from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss chapters 13 and 15 of the report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare.

Before we begin, I wish to 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, witnesses giving evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings that a witness who is 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 might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of 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 they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they do not adhere to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I invite Dr. de Bruin to make her opening statement.