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

I welcome Mr. Ian Talbot, chief executive, Mr. Seán Murphy, deputy chief executive, and Mr. Mark O'Mahoney, director of policy, from Chambers Ireland to discuss measures to support business growth and job creation and their retention in town and village centres.
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 in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I ask Mr. Talbot to make his presentation.