David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives of the RDFRA. I draw the witnesses’ attention to the rules of privilege. You are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are about 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 qualified privilege in respect of any evidence you give. 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 or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should also be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official, by name, or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Martin Cooney to begin.