Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This meeting has been convened to continue the committee's consideration of the development of rural tourism in Ireland. In this session, the committee will hear from representatives from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions and the Coach Tourism and Transport Council. I warmly welcome all our witnesses. I welcome Adrian Cummins, CEO, and Paul Lenehan, president, Restaurants Association of Ireland; Catherine Flanagan, CEO, Seán Connick, former chair and CEO of Dunbrody famine ship experience and the John F. Kennedy Trust and Geraldine Enright, chairperson and director of Cliffs of Moher visitor experience, Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions; William Martin of Martin's Coaches, County Limerick, chairperson, James McGinley of McGinley Coach Travel, County Donegal, executive member, and Philip O'Callaghan of O'Callaghan Coaches, County Kerry, executive member, Coach Tourism and Transport Council. The format of the meeting is such that I will invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements and as witnesses are probably aware, the committee may publish the opening statements on its web page. We will follow with questions and answers from members.

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 in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means witnesses have 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 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. Where witnesses are giving evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present would do. They may think it is appropriate to take legal advice on this 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 with the parliamentary practice to that effect.

I call on Adrian Cummins from the Restaurants Association of Ireland to make his opening remarks.