Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests at what is a really good time to have them here. Their sector has been very much in the media over recent weeks and their organisations, and more importantly their publicans, are getting their feet on the ground again after two and a half very difficult years, so we are looking forward to hearing from them on that.

We are joined by representatives from the Licensed Vintners Association, LVA, and the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, VFI. We are delighted to have them here and thank them for taking the time to meet us. On behalf of the committee, I warmly welcome Mr. Donall O'Keeffe, CEO of the LVA, who is joined by the newly appointed chairperson of the association, Ms Alison Kealy. She is very welcome and I congratulate her on her new post. I also welcome from the recently appointed chief executive officer of the VFI, Mr. Paul Clancy, whom I also congratulate, and Mr. Paul Moynihan, president.

I ask our witnesses to adhere to the time allocated for their opening statements in order that we will have as much time as possible for questions. As they will probably be aware, the committee may publish opening statements on its webpage following the meeting.

To limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, the service encourages all Members, visitors and witnesses to wear face masks in crowded settings on the campus.

Before I invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I ask everyone to bear with me while I go through some housekeeping. Regarding parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references that may be made to other persons in evidence, the evidence of witnesses physically present or of those who give evidence from the within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and the statute of absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise nor make charges against any 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 that person or entity. If, therefore, their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of any identifiable person or entitty, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect they should not make comment on, criticise nor 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 remind members of the constitutional requirement whereby Members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit someone who is not adhering to that constitutional requirement to contribute.

I ask members participating by MS Teams to identify themselves for the benefit of the Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report and to please mute their microphones when they are not contributing to reduce background noise. I remind everyone also to switch off their mobile phones or to put them on airplane mode.

I invite Mr. O'Keeffe to make his opening statement.