Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Deputies Mythen and Smyth. I am obliged by another commitment to be absent from the meeting for a time. Is there any objection to me nominating Deputy Ciarán Cannon to take the Chair in my absence? Is that agreed? Agreed.

Today's meeting has been convened for the purposes of a discussion with representatives from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, from Fáilte Ireland, from Tourism Ireland, from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC, and the Irish Hotels Federation. I welcome all of our witnesses, those who are with us here through Microsoft Teams and those in committee room 1. From the Department, I welcome Mr. Cian Ó Lionáin, assistant secretary, and Ms Orlaith Gleeson, principal officer. From Fáilte Ireland, I welcome Mr. Paul Kelly, the chief executive officer, and Mr. Caeman Wall, head of economic and industry analysis. From the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, I welcome Mr. Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, chief executive officer, Ms Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, chairperson, and Ms Ruth Andrews, chief executive officer of the Irish Tour Operators Association, ITOA. Ms Andrews is attending remotely via Microsoft Teams. From the Irish Hotels Federation, I welcome Mr. Tim Fenn, chief executive officer and Ms Denyse Campbell, president. From Tourism Ireland, I welcome Mr. Niall Gibbons chief executive officer. This is Mr. Gibbons' last week with Tourism Ireland. Today will be his final appearance before the committee. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Gibbons for his immense contribution to tourism across the island of Ireland during his career.

The format of the meeting is such that I will invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, the time for which is limited to five minutes. The opening statements will then be followed by questions from members of the committee. Before I invite our witnesses to make their opening statements, I must explain some limitations in relation to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses around references that witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence.

The evidence of witnesses who are physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege pursuant to the Constitution and statute. However, witnesses who give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as that of a witness who gives evidence from within the parliamentary precinct. They may, therefore, consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Witnesses are also asked to note that only evidence connected to the subject matter of the proceedings should be given, and witnesses should respect directions given by the Chair. If statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

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 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 that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to attend who is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any members who attempt to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I propose that we now proceed to the opening statements. I invite Mr. O’Mara Walsh to make his presentation.