Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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We are now in public session. I remind members, visitors and those in the public gallery to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off or in flight mode for the duration of this meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even when on silent mode.

I welcome from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Dr. Orlaigh Quinn, Secretary General; Ms Breda Power, assistant secretary with responsibility for consumer company law, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, and competition; Mr. Dermot Mulligan, assistant secretary with responsibility for innovation and investment and Mr. David Hegarty, assistant secretary with responsibility for strategic policy, to the meeting to discuss the strategic statement of the Department 2018-2021 which was published in April.

This meeting presents an opportunity for the committee to discuss the mission and goals identified by the Department over the term covered by the statement.

In accordance with procedure, I am required to read out the following. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind our guests that the presentations should be no more than ten minutes in duration. The presentations submitted by the witnesses have been circulated to the members.