Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We return today to the 2015 financial statements of Bord na gCon. We are joined from Bord na gCon by Mr. Phil Meaney, chairman, Dr. Seán Brady, interim chief executive officer, Mr. Michael Murnane, chief financial officer, Mr. Colin Walsh, director of commercial operations, Mr. Pat Creed, board member, Mr. Pat Herbert, board member, and Mr. Joe Lewins, director of IT and tote. We are joined from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine by Mr. Brendan Gleeson, assistant secretary.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile phones must be either switched off or set in aeroplane mode. Silent mode is not sufficient to prevent signals from interfering with the recording of proceedings.

I advise the witnesses that, 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 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 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.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy. Members are also reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind those in the Public Gallery that they are in the Houses by special permission and should not make any comments or distract from the proceedings in any way. If they do so, they will be asked to leave. None of the witnesses may be approached after the meeting, during the break or while they are in the Houses of the Oireachtas or the vicinity thereof. I insist on full co-operation on this matter. Following incidents two weeks ago, this matter is being taken very seriously by the Captain of the Guard and Superintendent of the House.

We will resume proceedings at the point at which we concluded the previous meeting. Deputy Catherine Murphy was questioning the witnesses when the meeting adjourned. When the Deputy has concluded her contribution, members will be taken in the following sequence: Deputy Shane Cassells, Deputy Catherine Connolly and Deputy Alan Kelly, after which we will have a second round of contributions commencing with Deputy Cullinane followed by Deputy Marc MacSharry. Deputy Bobby Aylward has also indicated. I am confining each member's contribution to ten minutes as it is intended to complete proceedings before the voting bloc commences in the Chamber.