Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives from the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association: Mr. John Comer, president, Mr. Pat McCormack, deputy president, Mr. John Enright, general secretary, and Ms Mary Buckley, policy officer. I thank them for coming before the committee to brief it on the association's pre-budget submission and issues relating to the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, which is quite popular at the moment.

I draw attention to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, 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. 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.