Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Paul Kelly, director, and Mr. Shane Dempsey, head of consumer foods, Food and Drink Industry Ireland, Mr. Cormac Healy, director, Meat Industry Ireland, and Mr. Michael Barry, director, the Irish Dairy Industries Association, to the committee's discussion on the issues facing food companies in the grocery sector. I am pleased we have managed to organise this meeting with the representatives of the Irish food and drink industry.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they 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.

I ask Mr. Kelly to make his opening statements. This will be followed by a question and answer session. Deputy Dara Calleary has been delayed but hopes to join us at some stage.