Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From Irish Farmers with Designated Land, IFDL, I welcome Mr. Liam O'Keeffe, chairman; Mr. Michael Cronin, acting secretary; Mr. Kenneth Fitzgerald, treasurer, and Mr. Jason Fitzgerald. I thank them for attending to discuss issues concerning financial losses to farmers owing to lands being designated as special protection areas for the hen harrier.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it 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 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the IFDL to make its opening statement.