Chairman:

I remind members, visitors and those in the Visitors Gallery that mobile phones must be switched off, or in flight mode, for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode.

I welcome Mr. Kevin Sherry, executive director of global business development and Mr. Garrett Murray, policy manager from Enterprise Ireland, Ms Mary Buckley, executive director and Mr. Denis Curran, department manager international services centre from IDA Ireland and Mr. Aidan Gough, strategy and policy director at InterTrade Ireland to discuss the likely economic impact of Brexit with particular emphasis on jobs and enterprise and the steps being taken to mitigate these risks.

I advise the witnesses 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 this committee. 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 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, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind our guests that their presentation should be of no more than five minutes duration, if possible. Members have been circulated with the presentations that were submitted by today's attendees. I now ask Mr. Kevin Sherry to make his presentation to the committee.