Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are meeting with Professor Gerry Boyle, director of Teagasc, and his colleague, Mr. Lance O'Brien, to both of whom I extend a warm welcome. We look forward to hearing their presentation on the role of Teagasc in maintaining and strengthening agricultural development and reducing hunger in under-developed countries. We will hear their opening statement before having a question and answer session with members of the joint committee.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

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 Chairman 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call on Professor Boyle to make his opening statement.