Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Paschal Hayes, principal officer, and Mr. Damien Clarke, assistant principal officer from the marine agencies and programmes division at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I thank them for coming before the committee today to brief it on the new guidelines for examination of state aid to the fishery and aquaculture sector. I apologise for the delay. Unfortunately, a vote was called in the Seanad and a quorum requires at least one Member from each House so we could not commence the meeting at 2 p.m. as planned.

I remind witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter to only qualified privileged in respect of the evidence they give. Witnesses are further directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of today's 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 a person or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I now invite Mr. Hayes to make his opening statement.