Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: National Competitiveness Council

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones as interference affects the sound quality of the recording.

I welcome Professor Peter Clinch, Chair, Dr. Marie Bourke, principal officer and Mr. Manus O'Donnell, assistant principal officer. I thank them for making themselves available to the committee today. We are meeting the representatives of the National Competitiveness Council to discuss its latest report that came out in April entitled Costs of Doing Business in Ireland. Our committee is beginning its scrutiny hearings for budget 2020 and we have already issued a call for pre-budget submissions. It is extremely useful to hear evidence from groups like the National Competitiveness Council on the general economic position and current competitive challenges that face our economy.

Before I ask the delegation to make an opening statement, I draw witnesses' attention to the position of privilege which applies to all witnesses. 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, however, 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 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I again thank the delegation for attending and invite Professor Clinch to make his opening statement.