Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome Mr. Kevin Smyth, assistant secretary, Mr. Paud Evans, principal officer, and Mr. Declan Mullins, higher executive officer, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. From the National Parks and Wildlife Service I would like to welcome Dr. Ciaran O’Keeffe, director, and Dr. Andrew Bleasdale, scientific unit. Thank you all for coming before the committee today.

Before we begin, I want to bring to your attention that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to do so, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor 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 either a person outside the Houses, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.