Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again remind Members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones completely as they interfere with the recording equipment.

We are joined by Mr. Lorcan O’Connor, managing director of Carroll’s Ireland; Mr. Richard Guiney, chief executive of Dublin Town; Ms Niamh McCarthy, managing director of Excursions Ireland; and Mr. Bryan Rankin, head of public affairs, Retail Excellence Ireland. They are all very welcome.

Before we commence, and in accordance with procedure I am required to read the following notice. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to do so, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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. Members are reminded of the long standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Lorcan O’Connor to make his opening statement.