Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This committee is now in public session. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to make sure their mobile phones are completely turned off. I would like to welcome from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dr. Cecil Beamish, assistant secretary; Mr. John Quinlan, principal officer; and Mr. Kevin Hodnett, assistant principal officer. I thank them for appearing before the committee today to discuss the status of the recommendations of the review of aquaculture licensing process carried out by the independent aquaculture licensing review group.

Before we begin, we have to deal with the issue of privilege. I want to bring to witnesses' attention that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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, or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded that under long-standing parliamentary practice that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or an official by name, or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her or it identifiable.

I invite Dr. Beamish to make his opening statement.