Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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We now commence a pre-ECOFIN briefing, including the country specific recommendations, with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. Before we commence business I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off to avoid interference with the broadcasting of the meeting.
I welcome the Minister, Deputy Noonan, and his officials to the meeting. The witnesses are here to assist the committee in its examination of the June ECOFIN meeting agenda, including the recently published country specific recommendations. The discussion will begin with opening remarks by the Minister, Deputy Noonan, following which questions may be put by members to the Minister.
I wish to advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the joint committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They 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 or make charges against any person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
I thank the Minister, Deputy Noonan, and his officials for attending. I understand the Minister must leave by 6 o'clock so I ask him to make his opening statement.