Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the witnesses for the slightly late start but we have just some lengthy discussions on a number of issues. We are delighted welcome Mr. Hugh Kelly, president of the Irish Exporters Association, and Mr. John Nevin, chairman of the Asia trade forum of the Irish Exporters Association, to discuss trade links with the ASEAN countries. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a greater understanding of trading between the ASEAN countries and Ireland and the possibility of further inroads in developing trade to a market of more than 600 million people. There are 500 million people in the European Union and yet there is huge potential in the ASEAN countries. We will have an opening statement from Mr. Kelly and we will then take questions from members.

I remind members and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. 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 joint committee. If they are directed by the Chairman 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 matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Mr. Kelly to make his opening statement.