Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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From the Irish Hotels Federation I welcome Mr. Tim Finn, chief executive officer, and Mr. Joseph Dolan, president.

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 joint committee. If, however, 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I have already read the notice on privilege out. I remind our guests that the presentation should be of no more than five minutes' duration. Members have previously received the witness's submission and presentation. I now ask Mr. Fenn to make his presentation to the committee.