Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Impact of Brexit on Irish Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors: Discussion

4:00 pm

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

I welcome the members of the deputations. From the Irish Farmers Association we have Mr. Joe Healy, president, and Mr. Kevin Kinsella, director of livestock. From the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association we have Mr. John Comer, president, and Mr. Paul Smyth, policy officer. From Macra na Feirme we have Mr. Seán Finan, national president, and Mr. Denis Duggan, chief executive officer. From the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association we have Mr. Patrick Kent and Mr. Eddie Punch, general secretary.

Before we continue, I will explain the position on privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The format of the meeting will comprise a presentation of between five and ten minutes by each of the delegations, starting with the IFA, to be followed by the ICMSA, Macra na Feirme and the ICSA. We will then take questions from members. I understand Mr. Healy will make the presentation on behalf of the IFA.

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