Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, visitors and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are either switched off completely or left in flight mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when left in silent mode.

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 joint committee. If they are directed by it 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. 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome Mr. Vincent Jennings, chief executive officer, and Ms Ann Martyn, president, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association; Ms Tara Buckley, director general, RGDATA; and Mr. Jimmy Redmond, National Off-Licence Association. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the cost of doing business. I apologise in advance to them that because of the political to-ing and fro-ing of the past week many members will have to leave early as they have been summoned to attend parliamentary party meetings at 5 p.m. I suggest that as the presentations submitted by them have been circulated to members, the attendees make brief introductory remarks and that we then go straight into the question and answer session. Is that agreed? Agreed. I invite Mr. Jennings to start.