Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses on the impact of Covid-19 on international travel in committee room 2. From the Irish Air Line Pilots Association, IALPA, we have Mr. Evan Cullen, president, and Captain Alan Brereton, vice-president; and from SIPTU we have Mr. Neil McGowan, aviation sector organiser, and Ms Karan O'Loughlin, aviation divisional organiser.

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 they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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.

I ask Mr. Cullen to introduce his delegation and make a short comment outlining the key points of his submission to the committee, which has been circulated. I ask him to limit his introduction and comments to five minutes to allow time for questions and answers.