Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Members participating in the meeting remotely are reminded to do so from within the Leinster House complex. Today, we will discuss key priorities, legislation and an updated account of matters relating to the Department of Enterprise and Employment through quarters 1 and 2 of 2024. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for advising on and implementing the Government's policies related to developing the productive capacity of the economy and fostering an environment that provides for employment creation and sustainability.

The Department is also engaged in developing policies that enable fair competition in the market place, protect consumers and safeguard workers. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to consider these matters further with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke. I welcome him to his first appearance before the committee as a Minister. From the Department, I also welcome: Mr. Declan Hughes, Secretary General; Mr. Dermot Mulligan, assistant secretary, workplace regulation and economic migration division; Ms Jean Carberry, assistant secretary, digital, EU and climate programme division; Mr. Ronnie Downes, assistant secretary, trade division; Mr. John Hughes, principal officer, innovation and investment division; Mr. Brian Walsh, principal officer, retail and locally traded enterprise; Dr. Dermot Coates, chief economist, economic and tax policy unit and Mr. Pat Phelan, assistant principal officer, management and business support unit.

Before we start, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references you can make to another person in your evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any other person or entity, by name, or in such a way as to make him, her or it, identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, you will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that you comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have already been circulated to members and to commence our consideration of these matters, I now invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.