Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will now consider the topic of the licensing and harvesting of seaweed in Ireland with representatives of BioAtlantis Limited, Brandon Products Limited, Carraig Fhada Seaweed, MB Quinn Limited and Ocean Harvest Technology. I welcome Mr. John O'Sullivan, chief executive, Mr. Brian Fanning, Dr. Kieran Guinan and Dr. William O'Connor from Ecofact Environmental Consultants Limited on behalf of BioAtlantis Limited; Mr. Paul Mullins on behalf of Brandon Products Limited; Mr. Damien Melvin and Mr. Frank Melvin on behalf of Carraig Fhada Seaweed; Mr. Micheál Quinn, managing director, MB Quinn Limited; and Dr. Stefan Krann, managing director, Ocean Harvest Technology. I thank them for their attendance. I propose we take the delegates in the order I have listed, which is alphabetical. Is that agreed? Agreed.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint 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 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 or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. In addition, the opening statement and any other documentation provided for the committee may be published on its website after the meeting. 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, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I call on the respresentatives of Brandon Products Limited to make their opening statement.