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

This meeting has been convened with representatives from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC, the Irish Hotels Federation, IHF, Fáilte Ireland and officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for a round-table discussion on the rising cost of tourist accommodation. On behalf of the committee, I warmly welcome from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, Mr. Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, chief executive, and Ms Ruth Andrews, board member of ITIC and CEO of the Incoming Tour Operators Association; from the Irish Hotels Federation, Mr. Tim Fenn, CEO, and Ms Denyse Campbell, president; from Fáilte Ireland, Mr. Paul Kelly, chief executive, who is no stranger to these committee meetings, and Mr. Paul Keeley, director of regional development; and from the tourism unit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Ms Orlaith Gleeson, principal officer, and Mr. Bernard O'Shea, principal officer.

I ask everyone to bear with me while I go through some housekeeping. The format of the meeting is that I will invite all of our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes each. These will be followed by questions from my committee colleagues. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its website. To limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, the service encourages all Members, visitors and witnesses to continue to wear face masks in crowded settings on the campus.

Before I ask witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I will explain some limitations regarding parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references that may be made to other persons in evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or of those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute 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 that person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of any identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect they should not make comment on, criticise nor make charges against a person outside the Houses 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 whereby they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in public meetings.

Members who may be joining the meeting via Microsoft Teams are asked to identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report, and to mute their microphones when not contributing to reduce background noise and feedback. I remind all those joining today's meeting to ensure their mobile phones are in silent or airplane mode.

We will take opening statements starting with Mr. Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC; Mr. Tim Fenn, Irish Hotels Federation, IHF; Mr. Paul Kelly, Fáilte Ireland; and Ms Orlaith Gleeson on behalf of the Department. I invite Mr. O'Mara Walsh to take the floor.