Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives from Fáilte Ireland, Mr. Aidan Pender, director, strategic development, Mr. Paddy Mathews, Ms Ethna Murphy and Ms Mary Stack. 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 do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are also 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 any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or 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.

The Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries was established to focus on the communities' socio-economic situations and on promoting sustainable industries. The main industries identified by the sub-committee are aquaculture, island and coastal fisheries, inshore fisheries with specific reference to sea angling and tourism. I call Mr. Pender to begin Fáilte Ireland's presentation.