Chairman:

We are joined for the second session of today's meeting by Mr. Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, and Mr. James Coghlan of the association's national council. We are also joined by Mr. Simon McKeever, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association, and by Ms Patricia Callan, director of the Small Firms Association, and Ms Linda Barry, the association's assistant director. The witnesses are here to discuss the likely economic impact of Brexit, with particular emphasis on jobs and enterprise and the steps being taken to mitigate these risks.

Before we commence, I am required to point out 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. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. 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 they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask everyone present to switch off their mobile phones or switch them to airplane mode because the use of such devices can interfere with the recordings here. I remind our guests that their presentations should be no more than five minutes in duration. Members have been given copies of the presentations submitted by today's attendees. I ask Mr. Neil McDonnell to make his presentation to the committee.