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

I welcome the representatives of the Marine Institute to the committee today, including Dr. Peter Heffernan, chief executive, Ms Caroline Bocqual, director of corporate services, Mr. Paul Connolly, director of fisheries, ecosystems and aquaculture management, Mr. Aengus Parsons, director of ocean science, and Mr. Mick Gillooly, director of ocean science and information services. Thank you for coming before the committee to discuss the 2011 annual report of the institute. I apologise on behalf of the Chairman, who is unavoidably absent today.

Before we begin I draw the attention of everyone to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. 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 a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I welcome you, Dr. Heffernan, and call on you to make your opening statement.