Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their phones. The purpose of this meeting is to hear presentations from the farm organisations regarding the agri-taxation review. I welcome from the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, Mr. Eddie Downey, president, Mr. Tom Doyle, farm business chairman, Mr. Pat Smith, general secretary and Ms Rowena Dwyer, economist. I welcome from the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, Mr. John Enright, general secretary, Mr. Lorcan McCabe, chairperson of the farm business committee and Ms Mary Buckley, policy officer. I thank them for appearing before the committee today and, before we begin, I must go through the usual formality of notifying the witnesses regarding privilege.
I draw witnesses' attention to the fact 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 the committee. However, 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 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 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. Downey to make his opening statement.