John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to engage with stakeholders to establish the likely repercussions of the potential sale of Aer Lingus to the International Aviation Group, IAG. Members will have seen statements from Dublin and Cork airports outlining their responses to the committee's invitation. Members will also be aware from correspondence that officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport did not consider it appropriate to attend today's meeting as the Irish takeover panel has ruled that Aer Lingus is now in an offer period and, under Irish market abuse law, the relevant officials are deemed to have access to inside information and are obliged to ensure that such information remains confidential. Members are also copied with the submission made by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, ITIC, which on balance views the potential takeover by IAG positively. The committee has received a significant number of communications from members of the public on the possible takeover. On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Emmet Oliver and Mr. Kieran Donoghue, IDA Ireland; Mr. Niall O'Donnellan, Enterprise Ireland; Dr. Neil Walker and Ms Mary Rose Burke, IBEC; Mr. Stephen McNally and Mr. Tim Fenn, Irish Hotels Federation; Dr. Neil Walker, IBEC; and Mr. Adrian Cummins, Restaurant Association of Ireland. We hope this engagement will provide the committee with a greater insight into what the possible consequences of a potential takeover of Aer Lingus might entail.

I draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If witnesses are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I wish to advise also that any submission or opening statements made to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Kieran O'Donoghue to make his opening statement.