Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are back in session. I welcome from the Irish Farmers Association Mr. John Bryan, president, Mr. Flor McCarthy, rural development chairman, Mr. Tom Doyle, farm business chairman, Mr. Pat Smith, general secretary, and Ms Rowena Dwyer, chief economist, and thank them for coming before the committee today to outline the IFA pre-budget submission.

I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an 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.

I ask Mr. Bryan to make his opening statement.