Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)

I ask everyone to turn off their mobile phones and devices or put them on silent. Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House with regard to references that may be made to other persons in the witnesses' evidence. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means they have absolute defence against any defamatory actions for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse the privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure it 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 they comply with any such direction.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in a public meeting, members must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit.

In this regard, I ask any members participating via Teams that prior to making their contributions, they confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are also 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

This morning's engagement forms part of our pre-budget 2026 scrutiny and engagement. I welcome: Mr. Seamus Coffey, chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and lecturer in the department of economics at University College Cork; Professor Michael McMahon, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council member and professor of macroeconomics at the University of Oxford; Mr. Niall Conroy, acting chief economist and head of the secretariat of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council; Dr. Alan Barrett, research professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute; Dr. Claire Keane, associate research professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute; and Dr. Conor O'Toole, associate research professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute. The committee welcomes the opportunity to engage with the witnesses. I thank them for being here today. I invite Mr. Coffey to make the opening statement.