Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have received apologies from Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív. I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones, as they interfere with the broadcast system. During this meeting, we have an engagement with Pobal representatives. It is proposed that this session will conclude not later than 1 p.m. and will be followed by a two-minute sos, after which we will resume in private session. Is that agreed? Agreed. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Denis Leamy, chief executive officer, and Mr. Gerry Murphy, deputy chief executive officer.

This is a new committee. We had our first meeting on 29 November 2017. Rural development support is the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, and the committee is interested in several elements of the policy. The EU plans to spend almost €100 billion on rural development policy in the period 2014 to 2020 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, EAFRD. In Ireland, we plan to spend €4 billion of public money on our rural development programme, RDP, during this period. The committee met members of the EU Court of Auditors recently and examined their special report: Rural Development Programming: less complexity and more focus on results needed. I welcome its recommendations and conclusions to reduce complexity and the focus on performance and results. However, the future is unknowable and unforeseen shocks to the system can undo the best laid plans. We need only mention Brexit or recent threats to international trade and the effects of climate change.

The committee has an oversight role in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the following bodies come under its remit: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Irish Water Safety, and the Charities Regulator. Pobal is the first body to appear before the committee. The organisation disbursed €615 million directly to beneficiaries in 2017, up from €257 million in 2011. Given Pobal's importance, the committee is interested in hearing about its past performance, current issues and future strategies.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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. However, 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 or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submissions, opening statements or other documents the witnesses have supplied to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.