Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Martin Heydon who will be here a little later. He is on his way from County Donegal.

I welcome the representatives of RGDATA, Ms Tara Buckley, director general; Mr. John Foy, president; and Mr. Joe Doyle and Mr. Richard Nolan, members of the association. I thank them for coming. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or an entity, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 invite Ms Buckley to make her opening statement.