John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are dealing with the 2014 Financial Statements of Bord na gCon. I welcome the witnesses.

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 nor make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House, or an official, by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 163 that the xommittee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Mr. Phil Meaney, chairman, and Ms Geraldine Larkin, chief executive officer, of Bord na gCon. I ask Ms Larkin to introduce her officials.