John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are further 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 nor make charges against a Member of either House, any person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the provision within Standing Order 163 that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies. I welcome Ms Niamh O’Donoghue, Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection, and ask her to introduce her officials.