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

We now come to pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the greyhound industry Bill 2017. I welcome from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr. Brendan Gleeson, assistant secretary general and officials from the Department, Mr. Gerry Greally, principal officer; Mr. Dermot Murphy, principal officer; Ms Jane Dempsey, assistant principal officer and Ms Joan Kennedy, assistant principal officer. I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee today to brief members on the general scheme of the greyhound industry Bill 2017, and to outline the rationale for the provisions contained therein.

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, her or it identifiable. I remind members of the longstanding parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or an entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The format of today's meeting will be that Mr. Gleeson will make his opening statement and them we shall take each heading or group of headings depending on their importance or priority. Members can then discuss each heading at a time and I will allow questions before we move on to the next session.

I now invite Mr. Gleeson to make his opening statement.