Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Terry Clune, founder and chairman, and Ms Joanna Murphy, chief executive, ConnectIreland; and Mr. James Moran, general manager, and Mr. Abdul Salam, chief executive officer, SLM Connect, to the meeting to discuss ConnectIreland's Succeed in Ireland programme.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure I am required to read out the following. 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 on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 they 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.

Before I invite the witnesses to address the committee, I must highlight that the committee has already been advised that the contractual dispute between IDA Ireland and ConnectIreland is a matter between those two parties and the committee cannot, therefore, inquire into the matter in dispute. I understand ConnectIreland has already indicated orally that it will not raise the matters in dispute in the course of its meeting with the committee. Although we have not had sight of the contract, our understanding is that it also contains provisions relating to confidentiality. Can I assume that ConnectIreland will not volunteer information to the committee that pertains to specific matters in dispute between it and IDA Ireland or that breaches any confidentiality requirement, contractual or otherwise? Can I ask for an assurance from ConnectIreland that if members ask questions of it that present a difficulty in this regard that will be clearly signalled by it?

I remind our guests that the presentation should be of no more than five minutes' duration. The presentation has been circulated to committee members. I invite Ms Joanna Murphy to make her presentation.