Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the submissions from the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies - Ireland and the Irish Social Enterprise Network on the Companies Bill 2012, which the select committee will consider in November. I welcome Mr. Brendan Lenihan and Mr. Aidan Lambe from the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies - Ireland and Mr. Chris Gordon from the Irish Social Enterprise Network.

Before we begin, I must outline the position with regard to privilege. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity 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 House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Lenihan to make his presentation. That will be followed by Mr. Gordon's presentation and we will then have a question and answer session.