Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to open the public hearings of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, in Ireland. These meetings are the second part of a process which began in June with a public invitation to make written submissions to the committee. On behalf of the committee, I sincerely thank all those who sent in submissions on this topic. The committee hopes that, through this public consultation initiative, we can create an integrated national strategy proposal document supporting the fostering, growth and sustainability of indigenous SMEs in becoming a key foundation block for the long-term success of the economy. We hope to identify and evaluate the key challenges for SMEs, review the existing business environment in Ireland and research relevant successful SME national policies in other countries. These are some of the issues the committee hopes to tease out through this public consultation exercise. Following these hearings, a draft report will be prepared for the committee by our rapporteur, Senator Ó Céidigh. The committee will review the draft report and publish its final report as soon as possible.

Today's meeting will comprise three sessions. Session one, which will begin now, will concern the SME owner's perspective; session two, at 4.15 p.m., will address the national perspective; and session three, at 6 p.m., will be on the regional perspective. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the witnesses to the first session: Mr. David Walsh, group chief executive officer, CEO, of Netwatch; Ms Evelyn O'Toole, CEO of Complete Laboratory Solutions; Deputy Michael D'Arcy, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for financial services and insurance, accompanied by Mr. Ian Kavanagh from the Department of Finance; and Mr. Dominic Doheny, president, and Mr. Tom Parlon, director general of the Construction Industry Federation, CIF. They are most welcome and we thank them for engaging with the committee in the consideration of this important topic.

Before we begin, I draw witnesses' 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 to the committee. If, however, they are directed by the Chair 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 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.

I also advise them that any opening statements made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. I invite Senator Ó Céidigh to make a few introductory remarks at the beginning. I will then invite each witness to make a short presentation. They may share time if they wish. They should indicate this to me when they are invited to speak. I ask that presenters keep their opening statements as brief as possible. When the presentations have finished, there will be time for some questions and comments from Senators and responses from the witnesses.