Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, visitors and those in the Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or in aeroplane mode for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode. I welcome Mr. Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, ISME, and Mr. John Barry of the management support service of ISME; Ms Maeve McElwee, director of employer services and Ms Nichola Harkin, employment law solicitor, of IBEC; and Mr. Ian Talbot, chief executive officer and Mr. Mark O'Mahony, director of policy and communications, of Chambers Ireland. This is the second session of this meeting on the Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016.

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. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence relating to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 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 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind the guests that the presentation should be no more than five minutes in duration if possible and the presentations submitted by today's attendees have been circulated to members. I ask Mr. McDonnell to make his presentation to the committee.