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

Today we will continue our consideration of the viability of and opportunities for An Post and the post office network. On behalf of the committee I welcome to the meeting Mr. David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, and Ms Debbie Byrne, managing director of An Post retail. You are both very welcome and I thank you for coming along today.

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

For witnesses attending the meeting remotely outside of the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and as such they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as if they were physically present. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of how their domestic law might apply to the evidence they give.

Members are also 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 House, or an official, by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of their constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House and the Convention Centre Dublin, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member, regrettably, to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will, reluctantly, be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask that prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting, any member who is participating by Teams would confirm that he or she is on the grounds of Leinster House campus.

For anybody watching this meeting online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing this meeting remotely. Only I as the Chair and the necessary staff essential to running the meeting are physically present in the room, and these are the two committee clerks. Due to these unprecedented circumstances, and the large number of people attending the meeting remotely, I ask for everyone's forbearance should any technical issues arise.

I now call on Mr. McRedmond to make his opening statement.