Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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I remind those present in the committee room to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members participating in the meeting remotely must do so from within the Leinster House complex only, as they are well aware. Apologies have been received from Senator Sherlock.

Today, we will look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the context of the start-up and scaling environment in Ireland. As a world leader in key innovative sectors, Ireland aims to provide a positive environment in which start-ups can flourish and develop into stable enterprises. Challenges exist, however, regarding the capacity of enterprises to take the initial steps necessary to start up and in respect of growing and scaling up from a small enterprise to a larger one. I am pleased, therefore, that we have the opportunity now to discuss and consider these matters further with representatives from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, and Scale Ireland. From ISIF, I welcome Mr. Nick Ashmore, director, Dr. Paul Saunders, senior investment director, and Dr. Georgina Murphy, investment director. From Scale Ireland, I welcome Ms Martina Fitzgerald, chief executive, and Mr. Brian Caulfield, director.

Before we start, as always, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to another person 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 may be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to members. To commence consideration of the matter, I invite Mr. Ashmore to make his opening remarks on behalf of ISIF.