Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Eoin O'Neill and Ms Katie Daughen from the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and look forward to engaging with them on their recently published paper, How to make Brexit work for all: Big Principles for a Strong Brexit Partnership. Today's meeting gives the committee the opportunity to hear the views of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce on the options for moving towards positive agreement for both sides after Brexit.

Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in this committee room.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Mr. Eoin O'Neill to make his opening statement.