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

The first session is a discussion is on merchant services providers in the travel trade in Ireland. The purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss with the Commission for Aviation Regulation, the role of merchant service providers in the travel trade in Ireland. This is part of the committee's ongoing work on the impact of Covid-19 on the aviation travel industry sectors. On behalf of the committee, I welcome to today's meeting Ms Cathy Mannion, commissioner of the Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, and Mr. David Hodnett, deputy commissioner of the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

I will now read the note on privilege. Witnesses are reminded 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. Therefore, if their statements are potentially damaging to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. For witnesses who are attending remotely from outside of the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses participating in this committee meeting from a jurisdiction outside of the State are advised that they should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence that they give.

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 of the House 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 which Parliament was chosen to sit, namely Leinster house and-or the Convention Centre Dublin, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside of the precincts will be asked, reluctantly, to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm that they are on the grounds of Leinster House campus. For anyone watching this meeting online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing this meeting remotely. Only I, as Chair, and the necessary staff essential to running the meeting are present in the committee room. 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. However, it has been pretty good of late.

I now call on Ms Mannion, who has roughly five minutes.