Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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We will resume in public session. I welcome Ms Niamh Bushnell, the Dublin commissioner for startups, to discuss the topic of women entrepreneurship, women in the tech industry and skill needs and balanced regional development of entrepreneurial hubs. We are particularly delighted to welcome Ms Anna Porter, an award winning student at the recent Young Scientist competition and who is here to discuss her project entitled, Why do women stay in STEM careers?.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee.However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter to only 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Bushnell to make her presentation.