John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Carlos Martínez Mongay, director of economies of the member states II at the Directorate-General Economic and Financial Affairs, and Mr. Stefan Kuhnert, deputy director of unit at the Directorate-General Economic and Financial Affairs, to discuss the EU Commission's opinion on Ireland's draft budget for 2017 and the EU Commission's annual growth survey.

Before we begin, I remind witnesses and members to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting of the meeting. I bring to the attention of the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Martínez Mongay to make his opening statement.