John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Michael Lennon, president, Irish Hotels Federation, IHF, and Mr. Tim Fenn, chief executive; and Mr. Adrian Cummins, chief executive, Restaurants Association of Ireland, RAI, and Ms Amy Sweetman, membership services and public affairs manager. I invite the IHF to present first. I will then allow members to direct questions to them.

I draw the attention of our guests 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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.

I ask everyone to ensure they have turned their mobile phones off or onto flight mode as they interfere with the meeting as well as its transmission and recording. I call Mr. Fenn to make his presentation.