Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The agenda for today's meeting is the impact of Brexit on Irish businesses, helping Irish businesses to deal with Brexit through supports, and life beyond Brexit with opportunities for Irish businesses.

I must read a note for our witnesses. If witnesses are giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at the committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and they are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third party or entity.

Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by them outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment 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 remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House campus. In this regard, I ask all members, prior to making their initial contributions, to confirm that they are on the grounds of Leinster House.

Members participating in the committee meeting from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protection afforded to those participating within the parliamentary precincts does not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or to what extent their participation is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Therefore, if they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter, they must respect that direction. There can be ongoing Microsoft Teams and ICT issues that are being worked on by staff so I ask participants to bear with us. As is often the case with meetings being held remotely, we can come up against some glitches but I ask the participants to bear with us.

We are very pleased to have representatives from Enterprise Ireland here today. With us are Ms Julie Sinnamon, chief executive officer; Ms Rowena Dwyer, department manager, policy planning and Government relations; and Mr. Giles O'Neill, department manager, Brexit unit. I invite Ms Sinnamon to make the opening statement on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. I thank all three witnesses for their attendance at our meeting today. It is very much appreciated.