Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the second part to our meeting is to discuss the challenges facing travel agents and the aviation sector. On behalf of the committee, I welcome to the meeting Mr. Pat Dawson, CEO, and Mr. Paul Hackett, board member, of the Irish Travel Agents Association. I thank the witnesses for attending the meeting at such short notice.

All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

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 remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House or the Convention Centre Dublin, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will, reluctantly, be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm their presence on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contributions to the meeting.

We have 45 minutes for this discussion and I want to allow as many questions as possible. Mr. Hackett submitted a very good statement, which members will have read. I ask him to summarise in order that we can move to questions as quickly as possible.