Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Rural Crime: Irish Farmers Association

9:30 am

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have an engagement with the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, on the issue of crime affecting rural communities and farmers. I warmly welcome its president, Mr. Eddie Downey, whom I will ask to introduce his colleagues. The format of the meeting is that I will invite him to make a brief opening statement lasting approximately five minutes, after which we will have a question and answer session with members. We find this to be a highly effective approach. I ask everyone present to switch off his or her mobile phone or set it to airplane mode or another in order that it will not interfere with the recording system.

By virtue of section 17(2)(I)of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, 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 ask Mr. Downey to introduce his colleagues and make his opening statement.

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