Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is the second in our series of meetings on the topic of sustaining small rural businesses. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following witnesses: Mr. Garrett Stokes, chief executive officer, Microfinance Ireland; Mr. Darragh Walshe, secretary, rural business committee, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society; Ms Paula Fitzsimons, director, ACORNS; and Mr. Denis Leamy, CEO, Pobal.

As the committee has agreed to publish the witnesses' opening statements, where supplied, they might focus on the salient points in their contributions, which should be for five to ten minutes. I call on Mr. Garrett Stokes, CEO of Microfinance Ireland, to make his opening statement.