Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Deputies Niamh Smyth, Munster and Christopher O'Sullivan and Senator Cassells. I take the opportunity to welcome our new member, Deputy Andrews. I look forward to working with him on the committee in the spirit of partnership and co-operation. I thank our outgoing member, Deputy Mythen, for his hard work and collegiality during his time on the committee and wish him well in his work on the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The meeting will be split into two separate sessions to examine the development of rural tourism in Ireland. The first session will involve representatives from Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC, and the Irish Hotels Federation, IHF, and officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media. During the second session, we will hear from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, RAI, the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions, AVEA, and the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, CTTC.

We have some committee business to dispose of before I invite our guests to deliver their opening statements. May I take it the draft minutes of the meetings of 22 February and 1 and 29 March are formally agreed and there are no matters arising? They are agreed.

I warmly welcome all of our guests. From the Department, I welcome Mr. Cian Ó Lionáin, assistant secretary with responsibility for tourism, and Ms Orlaith Gleeson, principal officer with responsibiltiy for tourism and development. From Fáilte Ireland, I welcome Mr. Paul Keeley, director of regional development, and Ms Orla Carroll, director of product development. From ITIC, I welcome Ms Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, chairperson. From the IHF, I welcome Ms Denyse Campbell, president, and Mr. Tim Fenn, chief executive. The format of the meeting will be such that I will invite our guests to deliver their opening statements, which will be limited to three minutes. As our guests are probably aware, we may publish the statements on our website. This will be followed by questions from committee members.

Before we proceed to the opening statements, I must explain some limitations in relation to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses around references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege, pursuant to the Constitution and statute, in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege. It is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, 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 they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or official outside the Houses by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement they be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to the constitutional requirements. Any member who attempts to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

We will begin with Mr. Ó Lionáin.