Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will consider the general scheme of the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014 with representatives of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and the Irish Stable Staff Association. I welcome from the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners Mr. John Weld, chairman, and Mr. Aiden Burns, manager, and from the Irish Stable Staff Association Mr. Bernard Caldwell, chairman; Mr. Paddy Curran, PRO; and Mr. Paddy Doyle, treasurer. I thank everyone for attending.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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.

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 invite Mr.Weld to make his opening statement.