Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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I remind members joining us remotely that they must be on the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Senator Paul Gavan.

Today's meeting will be a discussion on the implementation of EU Regulation No. 2023/2411 on geographical indications for craft and industrial products. Geographical indications provide for the intellectual property rights for products that are specifically linked to the area in which they were produced. Some well-known examples include Waterford blaa, Connemara hill lamb and Irish whiskey. The implementation of EU Regulation No. 2023/2411 will allow for intellectual property rights to be established for craft and industrial products. The committee is pleased to have the opportunity to consider these matters further with the following representatives of organisations. From Friends of Waterford, we have Mr. Bernard O'Connor, senior counsel, and Mr. Michael Glanzer, who is joining us online. Mr. Glanzer is having technical difficulty and we hope to get him online during the meeting. From the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, DCCI, we are joined by Mr. Peter Hynes, chair; Ms Mary Blanchfield, CEO; and Mr. Muiris Kennedy, adviser. From Cork Craft and Design, we are joined by Ms Mary Palmer, chair. From Chambers Ireland, we are joined by Mr. Ian Talbot, CEO, and Mr. Shane Hughes, policy and international affairs manager.

As always, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are 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 a person or entity. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Opening statements have been circulated to all members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Mr. O'Connor to make opening remarks on behalf of the Friends of Waterford.