Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Our guest, Mr. Paul Treyvaud, is welcome to the meeting. We are meeting with him to discuss the challenges facing the restaurant industry as a result of Covid-19. Obviously, this is very timely, following the announcements yesterday.

I have some housekeeping that I must go through first so I ask everyone to please bear with me. The format of the meeting is such that I will invite Mr. Treyvaud to make an opening statement of three minutes, followed by questions from the committee members. Mr. Treyvaud is probably aware the committee may publish the opening statement on its website following today's meeting.

Before I invite Mr. Treyvaud to deliver his opening statement, which is limited to three minutes, I advise him of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. 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 any speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to any identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply.

As the witness today is attending remotely from outside Leinster House campus, he should please note that there are limitations in relation to parliamentary privilege. As such, he may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does.

I invite Mr. Treyvaud to make his opening statement.