Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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I remind all those present in the committee room that they are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members who are participating in the meeting remotely are required, as they are well aware, to participate from within the Leinster House complex only.

We have received apologies from Deputy Matt Shanahan.

Today we will look at the pre-legislative scrutiny of the co-operative societies Bill 2022. Co-operatives were established to serve the interests of their members who range from consumers, producers and workers, to the wider community. A co-operative is an association or a body which is organised and which operates on the basis of co-operative principles. Currently, the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1893 to 2021 provide a statutory basis for the formation and general operation of industrial and provident societies and form the primary legislation within which co-operatives operate. The general scheme of the co-operative societies Bill 2022 proposes to consolidate and modernise the statutory regime that operates in respect of co-operative societies.

I am pleased we have an opportunity to consider these matters further with the following representatives. I welcome, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. John Shine, principal officer, Ms Teodora Corcoran, assistant principal officer, and Ms Caroline Kiernan, higher executive officer.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses 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. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to all the members. To commence our consideration of the matter, I now invite Mr. Shine to make his opening remarks.