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

We will now discuss the topic of what it takes to sustain a viable rural community with representatives of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association and Retail Excellence Ireland. Ba mhaith liom míle fáilte a chur roimh na finnéithe agus iad tagtha isteach chun é seo a phlé. I welcome the following witnesses representing the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association: Mr. Vincent Jennings, CEO, Mr. Noel Kelly, national president, and Ms Claire-Ann Martyn, national vice president. I also welcome Mr. David Fitzsimons, chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland.

Before we start, I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise the witnesses that the openings statements and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after this meeting.

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 House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We will continue our consideration of stream 3 of our project, maintaining an effective service and presence in rural communities. What we have been doing as a committee over the past number of months has been engaging with as many organisations as possible who have a stakehold or engagement with rural communities around the country in an effort to see whether we can make sure that Government does the necessary things to make these rural communities viable.

I invite Retail Excellence Ireland to address the committee first.