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

Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are turned off. This meeting will deal with pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017. From Greyhound Racing Integrity Ireland, I welcome Ms Eilis McCann, chair, and Dr. David McGrath, committee member. I thank them for coming before the committee today to discuss the heads of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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.

I invite Ms McCann to make her opening statement and we will then take questions.