James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

Good afternoon. You are all very welcome to our meeting. Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through. I wish to explain some limitations of parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence.

Witnesses within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege, and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members 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 where they are 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 any member partaking via Microsoft Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

Members and 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 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 in relation to the identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. Again, it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I propose that the following minutes be approved: 21 October 2025 and 22 October 2025. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On the agenda is engagement with representatives from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC. We look forward to discussing the following topics with the CCPC: its annual reports of 2023 and 2024; its key priorities for 2025 and 2026; and related matters. The CCPC will be aware that the competitiveness and cost of doing business in Ireland are priority policy issues for the committee. We look forward to hearing any views that the witnesses may have on those matters. I propose that we publish the statement submissions provided by the witnesses on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

In relation to speaking arrangements, we will invite our witnesses to speak for approximately five to ten minutes. We will then allow members to ask questions and make comments for around seven minutes. If we have time, we may have a second round. Members may be called as they appear on the week one speaking rota which has been circulated. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I am delighted to welcome the representatives of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to today's meeting: Mr. Brian McHugh, chairperson ; Mr. Patrick Kenny, member of the commission; and Mr. Simon Barry, director of research, advocacy and international. They are all very welcome to the committee. I invite Mr. McHugh to make his opening statement.