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

The meeting is now resumed in public session. I remind members and witnesses to ensure that their mobile phones are completely turned off. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss different approaches and new opportunities in Irish agriculture. I apologise to the witnesses for keeping them waiting outside. I welcome Professor Alex Evans, Ms Triona McCormack, Professor Dolores O'Riordan and Professor Mark Keane from UCD and I thank them for attending. The meeting arises from a discussion we had in Brussels on our trip approximately a month ago and we saw an opportunity for the committee to assist the witnesses in articulating their views on opportunities. These opportunities relate to science and technology and ensuring sustainability in and support for agriculture; precision agriculture; how these may assist young farmers to attract more people, especially young people, into farming and agriculture as a career path; and initiatives and areas with regard to research and innovation that UCD believes to be important or would like to raise in respect of agriculture and the agrifood sector in general. That is a synopsis of the discussion that will take place here today.

Before we begin I wish to draw attention to the fact 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses, or an official either by name, or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Ms McCormack to make her opening statement.