Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As there are no further questions in the session, I thank our witnesses for coming in today. If there is anything of relevance which was not covered, they might communicate it to the committee afterwards to allow us to include it in our report.

The next witnesses are Mr. Patrick Robinson and Ms Natasha Mytton-Mills of Airbnb. Before we begin, I draw their attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence given to the committee. However, 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 or persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Robinson to make his opening statement.