Chairman:

I welcome members of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, who are Mr. Henry O'Donnell, national vice chair, Mr. Colm O'Donnell, chairman of the CAP committee, Mr. Joe Condon, vice chair of the CAP committee and Mr. John Cuddy, committee member. We will discuss a number of issues, including GLAS schemes, areas of natural conservation and the reform of the appeals office.

Before we begin, I draw witnesses' attention to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. O'Donnell to make his opening statement.