Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for coming. Táimid fíor-bhuíoch daiobh, I am very grateful to you for taking the time to appear before the committee. We hope between this meeting and a subsequent meeting that we have just agreed with the Department to be in a position to draft a report on the strength of this that will make recommendations on the whole area that we are discussing and promoting, including nightlife, nightlife culture and the night time economy. To assist the committee in considering this matter, I am pleased to welcome, from Give Us The Night, Mr. Sunil Sharpe and Mr. Robbie Kitt; from Electric Garden and Theatre Galway, Mr. James Finan and Ms Laura O'Connell; and from Central Arts Waterford, Ms Ciara O'Connell and Mr. John O'Connell.

Before I ask witnesses to address the committee, I draw their attention to the fact that 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 the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 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.

Opening statements and any documents submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

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 witnesses to keep opening statements to about five minutes as we have a subsequent second station. Their presentations have been circulated to members and will be available on the Internet after the meeting. I ask Mr. Sharpe to give his presentation on behalf of Give Us the Night.