Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Deputy Maurice Quinlivan, the sponsor of the Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill 2017, and Mr. David McFadden to the meeting to scrutinise the Bill.

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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on 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 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 remind our guests that presentations should be no longer than ten minutes each. Members have been circulated with the presentations submitted.

I now ask Deputy Quinlivan to make his presentation to the committee.