Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Coffey and Deputy Martin Kenny. I remind members of staff, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. They interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the proceedings. Mobile phones also interfere with television, radio and the web streaming of proceedings. I will now read some formal notices for the information of the witnesses.

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 committee. However, 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 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. It is proposed that any submissions, opening statements or other documents supplied by witnesses be published on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I remind members that an information session with the Centre for Cross Border Studies has been arranged for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 12 December, on supporting communities and sustaining rural small businesses in the Border region following Brexit. I propose that we invite the centre to attend our committee's meeting at 9 that morning. Is that agreed? Agreed.

This committee has sustaining rural small businesses as a priority for its 2018 work programme. The Department of Rural and Community Development is overseen by this committee and we note its high-level goals. Under rural development and regional affairs, it is to facilitate the economic development of Ireland's regions and foster the sustainable development of vibrant rural communities; under community development, it is to promote and support the development of vibrant, inclusive communities and of the community and voluntary sector; and, under the Charities Regulatory Authority, CRA, it is to ensure the operation and development of effective regulation of the charities sector.

This committee has engaged with many stakeholders, agencies and other bodies, including representatives of the co-operative movement. We look forward to hearing the views of the leaders of another branch of the co-operative movement, namely the credit unions. The committee is interested in how the credit union movement can assist the sustainable development of rural and urban communities, including the provision of credit to small enterprises. The committee also looks forward to hearing the views of Irish Rural Link, which called for the establishment of the Department which is overseen by this committee.

Irish Rural Link's strategy is "to secure the existence of a substantial number of viable communities in rural Ireland, where every person will have meaningful work, adequate social services, and infrastructure needed for sustainable development".

On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Seamus Boland, chief executive officer, and Ms Louise Lennon, policy and communications officer, Irish Rural Link; Mr. Kevin Johnson, chief executive officer, Credit Union Development Association, CUDA; Mr. Tim Moylan, Credit Union Managers' Association, CUMA; Mr. Ed Farrell, chief executive officer, Mr. John Knox, research and development department, and Mr. Charles Murphy, president, Irish League of Credit Union, ILCU.

I call Mr. Boland to make his opening statement.