Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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The first item on the agenda is the future of the European Union and Ireland's role in it. We are joined by representatives of the Irish media. On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Dan O'Brien, The Irish Times, Ms Ann Cahill, Irish Examiner, and Mr. Sean Whelan, RTE. Today's meeting is the second in a series of meetings on Ireland and the future of the European Union, and today we are considering issues related to financial, budgetary and economic policy integration in the European Union. We will also discuss democratic accountability, legitimacy and political union, as well as the implications for Ireland of the evolving role of the UK's involvement with the European Union.

The media have an important role to play in informing the public on what are often complex issues of national concern, so we are meeting today with three well respected journalists on EU matters. It is an opportunity for members of the committee to explore how better to connect the European Union with members of the Irish public.

Before we commence, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way that he or she is identifiable.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not 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.

We may have a vote in the Dáil in 20 minutes, in which case we will have to suspend the meeting for ten minutes. I invite Ms Ann Cahill from the Irish Examinerto make her opening remarks.