James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

Apologies have been received from Deputies Brian Brennan and Tony McCormack. We pass on our sympathies to Deputy Brennan on the passing of his mother. I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are advised of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate when he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members participating via MS Teams to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contribution.

Members 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I propose that we publish the opening statements and submissions provided by the witnesses on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed. We invite our witnesses to speak for up to ten minutes. We will allow members to ask questions and make comments for up to seven minutes. Members may speak more than once if they wish to do so. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The subject of today's meeting is pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the industrial development (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2025. On 4 June 2025, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment referred the general scheme of the Bill to the committee to determine whether the committee wishes to carry out pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme. In general, the proposed Bill may not be initiated, pursuant to Standing Order 180, until eight weeks have elapsed, not including the summer recess, from the date the heads and scheme were given to the committee.

From the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I welcome Mr. John Hughes, Mr. John Lee, Ms Amy Gargan and Ms Fiona Kilcullen. From IDA Ireland, I welcome Ms Breda O'Sullivan, Ms Sarah O'Connell and Ms Síle Murray. From Enterprise Ireland, I welcome Mr. Donal Leahy. I invite Mr. Hughes to make his opening statement.