Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates from Wicklow Uplands Council: Mr. John Medlycott, vice chairman; Ms Cara Heraty, co-ordinator; Mr. Declan Byrne, land use adviser with Teagasc in County Wicklow; and Mr. Pat Dunne, chairman of the council's vegetation management working group and an upland farmer from Glenmalure. I thank them for attending the meeting and assisting us in our consideration of this issue. I advise them that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of that evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are further asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person 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 apologise on behalf of the Chairman who is unavoidably absent and attending the funeral of a long-standing friend. I invite Mr. Medlycott to make an opening statement.