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

Our second discussion concerns the importance of the retention of the 9% VAT rate in creating and maintaining jobs, including in the restaurant sector. I welcome Mr. Adrian Cummins, chief executive officer of the Restaurants Association of Ireland; Mr. Pádraig Óg Gallagher, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and owner-chef of Gallaghers Boxty House, Temple Bar; Ms Angela Ruttledge of Woodstock, Phibsboro and Moloughney's of Clontarf; and Mr. Brian Fallon of Fallon's, Kilcullen, County Kildare and Fallon and Byrne, Dublin 2. They are all in attendance to discuss the importance of the retention of the 9% VAT rate in creating and maintaining jobs in the tourism and restaurant sector. They have been involved in a campaign over the summer. Most members have been contacted at some stage. We decided it was important to have a discussion on this subject in advance of the budget, even though at short notice.

I apologise for the small attendance of members due to many of the parties holding meetings prior to the return of the Dáil. We will share the information provided today with those members.

I advise the witnesses that, 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 on a particular matter and they 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.