Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Cecil Beamish, assistant secretary general, and Ms Josephine Kelly, principal officer, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and thank them for attending the committee this afternoon to brief us on developments concerning the Common Fisheries Policy.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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.

I invite Mr. Beamish to make his opening statement.