Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are to have a presentation on the future proposals for Enterprise Ireland's micro-enterprise and small business unit, with specific reference to how Enterprise Ireland will liaise with local authorities to replace the functions of the county enterprise boards and assist small Irish exporting companies. We will have two sessions today. In the first, we will hear from Enterprise Ireland. I welcome Mr. Tom Hayes, divisional manager, micro and small business unit, Mr. Richard Murphy, head of the CEB co-ordination unit, Ms Orla Battersby, head of policy and implementation, and Mr. Neil Cooney, policy adviser.

Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are 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 or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I now call on Mr. Hayes to begin the presentation to the committee on Enterprise Ireland's new micro enterprise and small business unit.