Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe. He is accompanied by Mr. John Hogan, assistant secretary at the Department of Finance, Mr. Keith Walsh, principal officer and chief economist at the Revenue Commissioners, Ms Anne-Marie Walshe, principal officer at the Department of Finance, and Mr. John McCarthy, chief economist, economic policy division at the Department of Finance. The purpose of this session is to discuss the review of local property tax and the report of the international group.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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. 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I thank the Minister for attending and invite him to make his opening statement.