Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile telephones. We are meeting to discuss the general scheme of the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill with representatives from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Mr. Derek Iceton, chairman, and Mr. Shane O'Dwyer, manager; representatives from the Association of Irish Racehorse Trainers, Mr. Noel Meade, chairman, Mr. Michael Grassick, chief executive, and Mr. Dermot Weld, committee member; representatives from the Irish Jockeys Association, Mr. Andrew Coonan, chief executive, Mr. Ruby Walsh, committee member, and Mr. Michael Kinane, association member; and representatives of the Irish Bookmakers Association, Ms Sharon Byrne, chairperson, and Mr. Mike O'Kane, business director at Ladbrokes.
I thank the witnesses for attending and I propose hearing the chair of each group in the order in which I welcomed them. This is pre-legislative scrutiny, which is something of a new departure, and the purpose is to discuss the Bill before it is introduced on Second Stage in the House. We hope to provide a report to the Minister before the end of September.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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 House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.