Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome the director of Food Drink Ireland, Mr. Paul Kelly, and the chair of Meat Industry Ireland, Mr. Philip Carroll. I thank them both for coming in for this, our last session of a long day. The committee has managed to get through a very productive day's work in an industry and sector which is absolutely at the front line when it comes to the fallout from Brexit. We are looking forward to the witnesses' contributions. I know they have done quite a bit of work on this so far.

Before we begin I will read out the 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor 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. Kelly to make his opening remarks at this stage.