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

The first session this afternoon is a meeting with Ms Regina Breheny, director general of the Irish Venture Capital Association, to discuss access to finance for the SME sector. I welcome Ms Regina Breheny, Mr. Mark Horgan, chair of the association, and Mr. John Flynn, vice chair.
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.

Witnesses are further 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 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 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 Breheny to make her opening statement, after which I will take questions from members.