David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to engage with representatives of the Irish Tourist Assistance Service, ITAS. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Ms Lisa Kennedy and Mr. Kevin McPartlan and thank them for attending. They will be invited to make a brief opening statement which will be followed by questions and answers.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded that, under salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The delegates are very welcome. I note it is the 20th anniversary of ITAS, which means that there are celebrations. I understand the organisation has not made a presentation to an Oireachtas committee before. Is that correct?