Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In session B we are meeting representatives of the Irish Exporters Association as part of the remit of the committee is trade promotion. I welcome from the association Ms Nicola Byrne, president-elect, and Ms Marie Armstrong, vice president. I thank them for attending to give members of the committee their unique perspective on the potential challenges facing exporters when Britain exits the European Union.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

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 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 and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Ms Byrne to make her opening remarks, after which we can have a question and answer session and a discussion of the relevant issues.