Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank members and the witnesses for participating in today's committee meeting in line with the exceptional circumstances and measures we must take with Covid-19. Apart from me and the members of the committee secretariat, all members and witnesses are required to participate remotely. All members are required to participate from within the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Deputy Stanton and Senators Garvey and Gavan.

Today, we will give consideration to facilitating the reactivation of enterprise, trade and employment following the pandemic restrictions. The committee will be assisted by representatives of the County and City Management Association, CCMA. Members will recall that last week the committee considered a similar issue with representatives from Irish Small and Medium Enterprises, ISME, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU.

From the County and City Management Association, I am pleased to welcome Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive of Fingal County Council and chair of the CCMA business, enterprise, innovation and urban-town economic renewal committee. I also welcome Dr. Pat Daly, who I know well, chief executive of Limerick City and County Council; Ms Anna Marie Delaney, chief executive of Offaly County Council; Mr. Richard Shakespeare, assistant chief executive of Dublin City Council; and Mr. Padraic McElwee, chair of the local enterprise office, LEO, network and head of LEO from Clare County Council.

Before we proceed, I must outline some issues around parliamentary privilege. I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses with regard to references that witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. Evidence given by witnesses physically present or by those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. However, witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they 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, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If a witness's statement is potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

To commence our consideration of the matter before us, I invite Ms Farrelly to make her opening remarks on behalf of the County and City Management Association.