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

This session will involve a discussion of working conditions and skills shortages in Ireland's tourism and hospitality sector, which, sadly, we hear a lot about these days. I welcome: Dr. Deirdre Curran, a lecturer with National University of Ireland, NUI, Galway; Mr. Denis Hynes, sector organiser hospitality, SIPTU; Ms Fiona Dunne, national co-ordinator of One Movement, and Mr. Clement Shevlin, sector organiser with SIPTU, from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU; and Mr. Robert Kelly, regional officer, Ms Rhona McCord, strategic research and communications co-ordinator, and Ms Karen Doyle, hospitality branch secretary, who joins our meeting via Microsoft Teams, from Unite the Union.

As I have stated previously, it is great to have people back in the room. We have had two years of doing things virtually on Teams and everything else but there is nothing like an in-person opportunity to talk about and discuss these things. It is great to have the witnesses here. They are all very welcome. I hope I got all the names right. We have a long witness list today.

I have a little housekeeping to go through so I hope people will bear with me. Please note that to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19 the Houses of the Oireachtas encourage all members, visitors and witnesses to continue to wear masks in crowded settings on the campus. The format of the meeting is such that I will invite opening statements of no more than three minutes from our witnesses, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish their opening statements on its website following today's meeting.

Before I invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I will explain some of the limitations relating to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards references they make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. However, witnesses who are giving evidence remotely from outside the parliamentary precincts may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings. 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 they make potentially defamatory remarks, they will be directed to discontinue.

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 the House, or an official, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I propose that we proceed with the opening statements in the following order. I will ask Dr. Curran to take the floor first. She will be followed by Mr. Kelly, Ms Dunne and Mr. Hynes. I invite Dr. Curran to make her opening statement.