Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In this session we will discuss the future of the tillage sector and the nitrates action plan. I welcome the president of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, Mr. Joe Healy, and the director general of the IFA, Mr. Damien McDonald. I also welcome Mr. Liam Dunne and Mr. Fintan Conway for the tillage discussion and Mr. Thomas Cooney and Thomas Ryan who will contribute to the nitrates discussion. I thank the witnesses for attending the committee today. As they know, this committee is examining the future for the tillage sector, and we are delighted the IFA representatives are in a position to contribute to that debate today. The witnesses were also invited to make a presentation on the key priorities for the IFA in the review of the nitrates action plan. Members of the committee thought it best to address both topics at today's meeting. We will begin with the presentation on the tillage sector, followed by a question and answer session, and then we will move on to the nitrates issue.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I invite Mr. Joe Healy to make his presentation.