Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I ask witnesses and members to switch off mobile telephones. I welcome Mr. Kieran Mulvey, chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission, and from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Ms Patricia King, vice president, and Ms Esther Lynch. I thank the witnesses for coming before the joint committee to brief members on the general scheme of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter but 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Kieran Mulvey to make his opening statement.