Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The delegation from the north west is most welcome and we look forward to discussing the work it is involved in on a cross-Border and pan-European basis with regard to advanced communications technology. I welcome the representatives from the European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology, ERNACT, Mr. Colm McColgan, general manager, Councillor Gerard Diver, chairperson of Derry City Council, board member Councillor Rena Donaghey, Donegal County Council, board member and newly elected councillor of Donegal County Council, Niamh Kennedy, and board member Mr. Brian Boyle, Donegal County Council. I have a good deal of knowledge about the group, having been a former chairperson, and I am familiar with its work. This is a good opportunity to put the good work it has been involved in on the public record. From the point of view of the committee, there might be opportunities to explore, in terms of assistance to different parts of the country, both north and south. The organisation works to develop a number of digital projects and to secure EU funding. We look forward to exploring with the delegation the importance of technology in driving economic development and supporting business and to discussing how the experience of other regions can be applied in the north west.

Before I call on the witnesses to make their introductory comments and presentation, I must warn them about privilege. I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their utterances at this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. They are directed that only comments and evidence related to the subject matter of this meeting are 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 a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Diver to begin.