Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have received apologies from Deputies Martin Ferris, Michael McNamara, Éamon Ó Cuív and Willie Penrose. We are here to discuss the heads of the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014 and we are at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and all observers in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones or set them to airplane mode as interference by mobile phones negatively affects the broadcast. This meeting is being carried live on Oireachtas channel, UPC 207. Today we resume our engagement with stakeholders on the general scheme of the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill, which was referred to the committee by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, for pre-legislative scrutiny. Today's meeting will be conducted in two sessions. During session A we will hear from representatives of Bord na gCon, the Association of Irish Racecourses and the Racegoers Consultative Forum. During session B we will hear from representatives of the Irish Turf Club.

From Bord na gCon I welcome Mr. Phil Meaney, chairman, and Ms Geraldine Larkin, chief executive. From the Association of Irish Racecourses we have Mr. John Moloney, chairman, and Mr. Paddy Walsh, chief executive. From the Racegoers Consultative Forum I welcome Mr. Jimmy Cox, Ms Joan Widger and Mr. Jack Nagle. I thank all the witnesses for coming before the committee today to discuss the general scheme and for their submissions supplied prior to the meeting. Each group will be invited to make an opening statement of a maximum of ten minutes followed by questions from the members present.

Before beginning I draw the attention of all witnesses to the position in regard to privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they 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.

I will call the witnesses in the order in which I welcomed them to the committee meeting. I understand Mr. Meaney will make the opening statement on behalf of Bord na gCon.