John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Sharon Higgins, head of sectors at IBEC, Mr. John O’Dea, CEO of Crospon and immediate past chairperson of the Irish Medical Devices Association, IMDA, Mr. John Chamney, director of Walsh Whiskey and founding member of the Irish Whiskey Association, Mr. Karl Flannery, CEO of Storm Technology, and Mr. Frank Gleeson, managing director at Aramark Food Services and chair of Retail Ireland. The purpose of this session is to discuss access to finance for SMEs with the representatives from IBEC.
In accordance with procedure I am required to inform those present 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 the committee. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be entitled thereafter only to a 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 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. 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.

It is fantastic to see the large entourage from IBEC. Before I invite Ms Higgins to make her presentation, I remind all those present that we have a reasonably tight schedule and another presentation at 3.15 p.m. I acknowledge that we are already five to ten minutes late, but to be fair to everybody, I will press Ms Higgins to finish not too far off 3.15 p.m.