Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the meeting is an engagement on the European Semester with Professor Alan Barrett and Dr. Edgar Morgenroth of the ESRI. On behalf of the committee I welcome Professor Barrett and Dr. Morgenroth. Both witnesses have already appeared before the committee and we would appreciate their analysis and independent counsel on economic developments for Ireland within the European context.

The European Semester process is now embedded in all our ways of doing business but every year there is a new challenge, in particular this year, perhaps more than other years, with the anticipation of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. We very much appreciate the witnesses sharing their knowledge and assisting us in considering where Ireland should be this year in the European Semester and any comments they might be in a position to make with regard to annual growth survey and Ireland's national reform programme.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. 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 committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter but continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 entity by name or in such way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I ask Professor Alan Barrett to make his opening statement.