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 this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when left in silent mode.
I welcome Dr. Paul Davis, business department, DCU; Mr. Aidan Sweeney and Mr. Fergal O'Brien from IBEC; and Mr. Paul Quinn and Mr. Vincent Campbell, Office of Government Procurement, 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.
I call Dr. Davis to make his presentation. I will then call Mr. Sweeney who will be followed by Mr. Quinn.