Chairman:

The witnesses are welcome. Before I begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to please turn off their mobile phones, as they affect the broadcasting facilities in the room. The first group before the joint committee today for a pre-budget discussion is the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA. I welcome Mr. Joe Healy, president of the IFA, and wish him well in his tenure, as this is his first opportunity to appear before the committee since his election as president in the springtime. I also welcome Mr. Seán O'Leary, dairy chairman, Mr. Liam Dunne, grain chairman, and Mr. Bryan Barry, acting general secretary. I thank them for their attendance today to discuss the issues related to the agricultural sector before budget 2017.

On the matter of privilege, in accordance with procedures I am required to read out the following statement before we commence. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) 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 the committee to cease giving evidence on 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 or make charges against any person, persons or 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind the witnesses their presentations should take no longer than ten minutes. The presentations they have submitted have been circulated to members. Questions and answers will be taken after the presentations. I invite Mr. Healy to make his opening statement.