Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the witnesses for the brief interlude. I welcome Mr. Aidan Cotter, chief executive officer of Bord Bia; Mr. Jim O'Toole, director of Bord Bia's meat and livestock division; Mr. Joe Burke, sector manager for beef and livestock. I welcome Professor Gerry Boyle, chief executive officer of Teagasc and Mr. Pearse Kelly, head of dry stock knowledge transfer. I welcome Mr. Paddy Gernon from the Irish Cattle Exporters Association. I thank them for their attendance to discuss the current crisis affecting bull beef producers.
On the matter of privilege I advise the witnesses that, 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 so do, 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or 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 ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I invite Mr. Aidan Cotter to make the first presentation.