Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. This is important because they cause serious interference with the broadcasting and sound recording systems.

Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine anseo. Is ábhar uafásach tábhachtach atá á plé againn a bhaineann le postanna a chruthú thar timpeall na tíre. Baineann sé le gach réigiún, san áireamh iadsan amuigh faoin tuath agus sna Gaeltachtaí freisin. Tá mé an-sásta gur tháinig na finnéithe anseo inniu agus cuid acu ó áiteanna atá i bhfad uainn. Gabhaim mo mhíle buíochas leo as sin. Déanfaimid plé anois ar céard a theastaíonn a dhéanamh chun pobal tuaithe inmharthana a chaomhnú, that is, what it takes to sustain a viable rural community. We have representatives from Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, ISME, the Western Development Commission and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

An bhfuil sé sin aontaithe? Aontaithe. Cuirim fáilte ar na finnéithe seo a leanas: Mr. Niall O'Donnellan, division manager of policy, people and investment and Mr. Garrett Murray, department manager policy, planning and government relations, Enterprise Ireland; Mr. Neil McDonnell, chief executive officer and Mr. James Coghlan, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association; Mr. Stiofán Ó Cúláin, príomhfheidhmeannach, Mr. Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, stiúrthóir fostaíochta agus maoine and Mr. Gearóid Breathnach, stiúrthóir seirbhísí corparáideach, Údarás na Gaeltachta; and Mr. Ian Brannigan, acting chief executive and Ms Helen McHenry, policy analyst, the Western Development Commission.

Before the meeting commences, 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. However, if they 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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, her or it identifiable. The opening statements and any other documents submitted to the committee will be published on the committee 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 of the Oireachtas or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Today's meeting is one of a series of meetings that this committee is holding to consider what is necessary to create a viable rural community and to sustain it. During these deliberations we will examine all aspects of rural communities in modern Ireland including employment, emergency services, local services, quality of life, education and transport. Today's meeting will look at stream 1, employment, which in many ways is the most important element in sustaining local rural areas. It includes investment, development and employment in rural areas, doing business and locating workers in rural areas, incentives for rural enterprise, resource-based industries and creative and media industries. I invite Enterprise Ireland to address the committee.