Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Ms Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA, Mr. Gary Morton of Mortons, Ranelagh and Mr. Rob Murphy, Murphy's Centra, Ballinrobe, County Mayo who are here today to discuss their report entitled "Nightmare on Every Street - Town Centres, Car Parking and Smart Travel" and the overall retail strategy, including the black economy, which issue the committee will focus on in the context of its development over the next couple of months of a retail strategy.

Before we commence, I remind witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Ms Buckley to make her presentation.