Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting.

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. At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery should, for the duration of the meeting, turn off their mobile phones completely or switch them to flight or safe mode, as otherwise they will interfere with the broadcasting equipment.

Increased unemployment levels have been one of the most damaging impacts of the economic crisis and the recession. The impact of unemployment at both an individual and household level is felt where no one is working or has limited access to work. While there has been a decrease in unemployment in recent times, there is still a significant issue with household joblessness. We will discuss this issue, with the findings of the report by the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, in June 2014, Jobless Households: An Exploration of the Issues.

To assist the committee in this regard, I welcome Dr. Helen Johnston, senior policy analyst, NESC; Dr. Peter Rigney, industrial officer, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU; Ms Bríd O’Brien and Mr. Robert Lynch, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, INOU. I invite Dr. Johnston to make her opening statement.