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

I welcome the delegates from Enterprise Ireland: Ms Julie Sinnamon, chief executive, Mr. Niall O'Donnellan, divisional manager, and Mr. Tom Hayes, divisional manager. They are present to discuss Enterprise Ireland's annual report 2013 and progress to date, including the national microenterprise policy.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they will be entitled thereafter only to 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 a person or persons or an 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 an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I invite Ms Sinnamon to make her presentation to the committee.