Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Peter Nallen, group chief operations officer, and Mr. Tom Bryan, agronomist, from Minch Malt Limited. I thank them for coming before the committee today. As they are aware, the committee is examining the future of the tillage sector in Ireland. I would like to hear their views on this matter from their perspective.

Before we begin, I bring to the witnesses' attention that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 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 or entity by name or in such way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Nallen to make his opening statement.