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

I welcome the representatives of Coillte, namely, Mr. Gerry Britchfield, acting chief executive and Mr. Gerry Egan, group director, strategy and corporate affairs. I thank them for their attendance before the joint committee to discuss with members the annual report for 2012. Before I begin, I bring to the attention of witnesses the matter of privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 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 Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I again remind anyone with a mobile telephone to either turn it off of put it into silent mode please.

I now invite Mr. Gerry Britchfield to make his opening statement.