Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our discussion during this session is with Hardware Association Ireland. I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode.
I welcome Ms Annemarie Harte, Mr. Jim Copeland, Mr. Alex Taylor and Ms Heather Graham of Hardware Association Ireland to this meeting to discuss policy options to support business growth and job creation and retention in town and village centres.
In accordance with procedure I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(I)of the Defamation Act 2009 they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. If, however, 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. They are 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 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 and ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I invite Ms Harte to make her presentation to the committee.