Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to please turn off their mobile phones. The first session in our examination of the greyhound industry will involve the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Tom Hayes. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials and thank them for appearing before the committee to discuss the greyhound industry in this country. This session will involve members only. I remind them in terms of privilege 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 the Minister of State to make his opening statement.