Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The committee is meeting to continue its engagements on the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill 2018. I welcome Ms Sinead Farrell and Mr. Darragh Walshe from the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society, Dr. Olive McCarthy and Ms Bridget Carroll from the Centre for Co-Operative Studies at UCC and Mr. Brendan Murtagh and Ms Caitriona Allis from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. This session will be followed by engagement with officials from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

I remind members, visitors and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off or are in flight mode for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode. 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 the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 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.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members have been provided with a presentation submitted by today's attendees. I now ask Ms Sinead Farrell and Mr. Darragh Walshe from the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society to make their presentation to the committee. I thank all six witnesses and those with them for giving up their time to come here today; it is much appreciated.