Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome the members of the two groups that will contribute to the next part of this afternoon's meeting. I welcome Mr. Patrick Kent, who is the president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association; Mr. John Brooks, who is the association's sheep chairman, Mr. Edmond Phelan, who is the association's beef chairman; and Ms Neassa Fitzgibbon, who is the public relations officer of the association. I also welcome Mr. Seán Finan, who is the national president of Macra na Feirme; Mr. Bryan Hynes, who is the chairman of Macra na Feirme's agricultural affairs committee; Mr. Edmond Connolly, who is Macra na Feirme's chief executive officer; and Mr. Derrie Dillon, who is the agricultural affairs manager of Macra na Feirme. I thank them for coming before the joint committee today.

The witnesses probably heard what the Chairman said about the matter of privilege earlier, but I have to go through it again. I want to bring it to their attention that they 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 or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I am aware that there might be a vote in the Dáil on the Order of Business at 4.45 p.m. I mention that to let the witnesses know in advance that we might need to suspend the sitting. I ask Mr. Kent to make his presentation, to be followed by Mr. Finan if that is all right.