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

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even when on silent mode.

We resume on a discussion on the all-island economy, with a view to generating recommendations on how to enhance economic co-operation and alignment across the island. I welcome Dr. Anthony Soares, research and policy manager at the Centre for Cross Border Studies, Mr. Padraic White, chairperson of the Border Development Corridor Steering Committee, Mr. Aidan Gough, strategy and policy director for InterTradeIreland, Mr. Michael Burke, independent economist, and Dr. Conor Patterson, chief executive at the Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency, to the meeting to discuss the all-Ireland economy and how economic co-operation and alignment across the island might be enhanced.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure I am required to read the following. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if 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 a 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 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, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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 remind our guests that presentations should be no more than five minutes in duration. Members have already been supplied with the presentations submitted. I now invite Dr. Anthony Soares to make his presentation.