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

I welcome members and guests. I apologise on behalf of our Chairman, Deputy Doyle, who is otherwise engaged. I have also received apologies from Senators Ó Domhnaill and O'Neill. I remind members and witnesses to put their mobile telephones on silent, as they interfere with the technology here. I welcome the witnesses, here to discuss a report entitled Little Fish, Big Impact. I particularly welcome Dr. Ellen Pikitch, who has arrived from America this morning and will be here for the weekend at a very important conference in Malahide. I also thank Mr. Mike Walker and his colleagues Ms Charlotte Hudson and Ms Angela Bednarek for taking up our invitation.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or 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 a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.