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

I welcome Ms Evelyn Jones, chairperson, Mr. Jim McCabe, spokesperson, and Mr. Andrew Kinsella, from the National Off-Licence Association, Mr. Terry Pennington, commercial director UK and Ireland at Santa Rita Estates, and Ms Christine Smith, financial controller at Mackenway Distributors, to discuss the significant business closures and job losses in the sector and proposed solutions to address these losses.

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. If witnesses 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 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons 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. I invite Ms Evelyn Jones to make a presentation to the committee on the significant business closures and job losses in the sector and any proposed solutions.