John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the representatives of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce: Mary Rose Burke, chief executive officer; Aebhric McGibney, director of public and international affairs; Fergus Sharpe, senior policy executive. They will discuss the revised capital plan with the committee.

Before we commence, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile telephones as they interfere with both the broadcasting and the recording of the meeting. I also wish to bring it to the attention of the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence relating to 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 hearings 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 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 either a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Burke to make her opening statement.