Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Mr. Stephen Farry MP and Ms Claire Hanna MP. On behalf of our committee, I welcome Professor Alan Barrett, director, Dr. Adele Bergin and Professor Seamus McGuinness from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, to discuss the economics of Northern Ireland and the all-island economy.

Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practices of the Houses regarding references witnesses may make to other persons. The evidences 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 and participants who are to give evidence from locations outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected with the subject matter of the proceedings should be given, and they should respect directions given by the Chair and the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should neither criticise nor make charges against any person, persons 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 that person or entity's good name.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that 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.

To explain to witnesses how we operate, we rotate speaking slots in the following order: Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, SDLP, the Alliance Party, the Green Party, the Labour Party, Independents, Aontú and so on. Each slot after the opening submissions will last 15 minutes. We will call each group separately. The proceedings will be relaxed and, I hope, very rewarding. There are many people looking forward to this. I invite Dr. Barrett to make his opening statement.