Barry Ward (Fine Gael)
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We have not received any apologies.

I ask witnesses and members to turn off their mobile phones because they can interfere with the sound system and the recording of the meeting.

The main item on the agenda today is the pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the sale of alcohol Bill 2022. I am grateful to our witnesses for joining us. We are looking forward to the engagement with them, as stakeholders, to help us with the scrutiny of the general scheme of the Bill. This is the first of two meetings on this matter; there will be another next week.

We are joined by: Mr. Matt McGranaghan, director and spokesperson, and Mr. Jackie Conboy, director, from the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland; Mr. Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive, and Ms Alison Kealy, chair, from the Licensed Vintners Association; Mr. Paul Clancy, chief executive, and Mr. Paul Moynihan, president, from the Vintners Federation of Ireland; Mr. Sunil Sharpe, spokesperson, and Mr. Robbie Kitt, spokesperson, from Give Us the Night; Ms Elisabeth Ryan, co-ordinator, and Mr. Peter Mosley, chairperson, from the Independent Craft Brewers Ireland; and Ms Juliet Dwyer, principal officer, and Ms Patricia Butler, assistant principal officer, from the Department of Justice. I thank them all for coming.

Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or to engage otherwise 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 these remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The witnesses from each of the bodies will be given three minutes to set out their opening statements. Once all those statements have been delivered, I will call on members to ask any questions they have. They will each have seven minutes to engage with the witnesses. If there is extra time, we can go back to other issues. It is essential that members put their questions succinctly in order to give witnesses an opportunity to respond. I ask members both present and online to indicate clearly to me if they want to speak. When all members have indicated that they have had their initial engagement, we may come back to other members for a shorter period.

The available time for the meeting is limited so we will have to keep to time as much as possible.

I acknowledge Ms Ashley Rehal from the University of California, Berkeley, who is working as an intern with Deputy Niamh Smyth. She is welcome to the Public Gallery.