Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Seanad special committee, I welcome Mr. James Healy, who was elected as national president of Macra na Feirme recently; and Mr. Joe Healy, who is not so newly elected as president of the Irish Farmers Association. I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. James Healy's predecessor very well. We met on many red-eye flights to Brussels when he was going to various things. I think I saw Mr. Joe Healy waiting to get the flight home once or twice. Their reputations and those of their respective organisations precede them. I say that in the warmest way possible. I thank Mr. James Healy and Mr. Joe Healy for engaging in this morning's last session before we break briefly for lunch. Today we are considering one of the key issues facing Ireland in the context of Brexit. We have had some really thorough discussions so far this morning and generally throughout our work. We are looking forward to the input of the witnesses.

Some of those present will be familiar with the usual note on privilege. 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. 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. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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. 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. I invite Mr. James Healy to make his opening statement.