Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses from the arts, entertainment and tourism sectors. I apologise for being out of breath. From the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht we have Ms Katherine Licken, Secretary General; Mr Conor Falvey, assistant secretary; Dr. Aodhán Mac Cormaic, director of Irish; and Ms Tania Banotti, director of the Creative Ireland programme. From Fáilte Ireland we have Mr. Paul Kelly, chief executive; Ms Jenny De Saulles, director of industry development and Mr. Caeman Wall, head of economic and industry analysis.

I advise the witnesses 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 this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. We expect witnesses to answer questions asked by the committee clearly and with candour but witnesses can and should be expected to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times in accordance with the witness protocol. If witnesses have any concerns in that regard, I ask that they be raised with the committee. I ask Ms Licken to give her opening statement and to please confine it to five minutes as it was circulated to members in advance. This is to allow time for questions and answers.