Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind Members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to a committee. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts does and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter.

Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by the witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to utterances of members participating online in the committee meeting where their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in the public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. Any attempt to do so will result in the member having his or her online access removed.

The purpose of today's meeting is for the committee to received an update on the eradication of TB. The committee will hear from Mr. Conor O'Mahony, principal officer ERAD division and veterinary medicines at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Dr. Damien Barrett, superintending veterinary inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Mr. Teddy Cashman, chairperson of the deer management strategy group; and Dr. John Griffin, chairperson of the scientific working group of the TB forum. They are all welcome. Their opening statements have been circulated to members. I will allow five minutes to read opening statements before proceeding to a question and answer session.

We will start with the Department.