Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome Mr. Simon McKeever, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association, and Mr. Patrick Daly, managing director of Alva Consulting and member of the Irish Exporters Association Council. They will outline the need for capital infrastructure to assist exporters.

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones because of interference. I draw witnesses' attention to the fact they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation 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 or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise, or makes charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or by such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. McKeever to make his opening statement.