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

I remind members and those 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 left in silent mode.
I welcome Mr. John O'Brien and Mr. Dave O'Reilly from EMS Copiers, Mr. Michael O'Brien and Mr. Brendan Bannigan from The O'Brien Press, and Ms Mary Fallon and Mr. John McNamee from Alan Hanna's bookshop to discuss issues for small suppliers in seeking access to public procurement contracts and related matters.
By virtue of section 17(2)(i) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 do not criticise or make charges against any person 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 Mr. John O'Brien to make his presentation to the committee. I will then call on Mr. Michael O'Brien, followed by Ms Mary Fallon.