Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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We will move on to the next item on the agenda, which is a briefing on Brexit and the readiness of businesses, employees and communities with the coming into effect of the UK's decision to depart from the EU. To assist the committee in its consideration of this matter, I am pleased that we have been joined remotely today by representatives of IBEC, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and Border Communities Against Brexit. I welcome from IBEC, Mr. Fergal O'Brien, director of policy and public affairs, and Mr. Neil Willoughby, senior executive, European affairs; from ICTU, Ms Patricia King, general secretary; and from Border Communities Against Brexit, Mr. Tom Murray and Mr. J.J. O'Hara. All witnesses are joining us online.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present, or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, today's witnesses are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside of the parliamentary precincts and, as such, may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that one should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable, or otherwise engage in a speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a witness's statement is potentially defamatory with regard to an identified person or entity, he or she will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction we give them.

We now move on to the opening statements, which have been circulated to all the members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Mr. O'Brien from IBEC to make the opening statement. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, I stress the need for all witnesses to limit their opening briefing to five minutes or less.