Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to welcome Dr. Peter Rigney of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and Dr. Tom McDonnell of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, NERI, to the meeting today to discuss the cost of doing business. Before we commence and in accordance with procedure, I am required to read the following. 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.

However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 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.

I have read the members' reminder already. I remind our guests that the presentations should be no more than five minutes in duration. We will have a question and answer session following the presentations. I ask Dr. Peter Rigney to make his presentation to the committee.