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

We resume in public session for our discussion with Mr. Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, to discuss Enterprise Ireland's annual report 2012 and developments to date in 2013. I welcome Mr. Ryan, Mr. Paddy Hopkins, secretary to the board, Mr. Tom Hayes, manager micro enterprises, and Mr. Eamonn May ,manager banking relationships and growth capital development, Enterprise Ireland. I apologise that we are a little late starting. Our private business went on longer than we thought. We were discussing some more issues about which we might be writing to Enterprise Ireland.

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. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Ryan to make his presentation to the committee on Enterprise Ireland's annual report 2012 and developments to date 2013. I thank the witnesses for coming in today. Hopefully we will try to meet on a more regular basis over the years. It is up to ourselves because Enterprise Ireland is always available to us and I appreciate that.