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

I have some housekeeping to get through, but I am sure everyone will bear with me. We convened this meeting with representatives of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland, CTTC, to discuss the challenges faced by its members as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. I live beside the premises of a well-known company called Sillan Tours. I am sure the witnesses are familiar with it and the impact the pandemic has had on that business. I am delighted the witnesses are here because Mr. Brian Rowe, one of the managers or owners of Sillan Tours, has contacted me concerning the situation businesses are in due to the impact of Covid-19. I welcome everyone. Witnesses are attending remotely and they are more than welcome to do so. I welcome Mr. Feargal Barton, Mr. Mike Buckley and Mr. James McGinley, members of the executive council of the CTTC. The format of the meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to make their opening statements and questions will then follow from members of the committee.

As our witnesses may be aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its website following today's meeting. Before I invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which I ask them to curtail to three minutes, I wish to advise them of the following in respect of 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 speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If an opening statement is potentially defamatory in respect of any identifiable person or entity, the witness giving it will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. My colleagues are aware of the situation regarding parliamentary privilege and I do not need to remind them of it.

I turn now to our guests and I call Mr. Barton to make the opening statement on behalf of the CTTC.