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

I thank members and witnesses for being present to participate in today's meeting. Apologies have been received from Deputy Matt Shanahan. Anybody who is participating remotely will need to do so, as they well know, from within the Leinster House complex.

We are here to consider the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 32 - Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who is accompanied by his officials.

Before we start, as is always the case, I would like to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses with regard to references witnesses may make to another person in their evidence. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of presentations they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute defence any defamation action for anything they may say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege, and it is my duty as Chair to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks by the Chair, and it is important they comply with any such direction.

I now invite the Minister to make his opening remarks on the Supplementary Estimate. As normal, documentation for the meeting, including the Minister's opening statement, has been circulated to members on Microsoft Teams.