Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Ms Jean Winters, Mr. Tom Parlon and Mr. Michael Stone, all of whom are from the Construction Industry Federation, and Ms Maeve McElwee and Ms Gillian Verrecchia, both of whom are from IBEC. I thank them for attending today to make presentations on the general scheme of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014. Their submissions have been circulated to members so I ask them to address their comments to the specific draft heads of the Bill. This meeting is an opportunity for them to inform the committee of issues they may have with the heads, as drafted, and to propose measures to address these issues. It is important that the time available to us be used constructively and for the intended purposes I have outlined. All proposals will be considered by the committee when it is preparing its report for the Minister.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an 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, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
The format for the discussion is that Ms Winters from the Construction Industry Federation of Ireland will make her opening statement first, followed by Ms McElwee from IBEC. The members will then be invited to ask questions.

Members are reminded when asking questions to state the number of the head to which they are referring. I now invite Ms Winters to make her presentation.