Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

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

Before we proceed, and in accordance with procedures, I am required to read the following note on privilege. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 or 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 Houses, or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her or it identifiable.

I welcome Ms Kerry Curran, strategy and policy manager, and Mr. Mark Sterritt, Brexit manager, InterTrade Ireland; Ms Mary Buckley, executive director, and Mr. Kieran Donoghue, global head of international financial services IDA Ireland; and Mr. Kevin Sherry, executive director global business development, and Ms Anne Lanigan, Brexit manager, Enterprise Ireland. I remind our witnesses that their presentations should be no more than of five minutes duration. Members have received their presentations. I ask Ms Curran to make her presentation to the committee.