Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will now turn to the matter on the agenda today. I apologise to the witnesses for the delay. We had some housekeeping matters to address before going into public session.

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 in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome Mr. Niall Gibbons from Tourism Ireland; Mr. Shaun Quinn and Mr. Paul Keeley from Fáilte Ireland; Mr. Tim Fenn and Mr. Joe Dolan from the Irish Hotels Federation; and Mr. Paul Gallagher from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation. I thank them for coming before the committee today to discuss issues relating to a strategy for developing tourism and competitiveness. The opening statements have been circulated to members.

I draw the attention of the witnesses 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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. I remind our guests their presentations should be of no more than five minutes' duration if possible. I invite Mr. Niall Gibbons from Tourism Ireland to make his opening statement.