Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, Mr. Seamus Sherlock, rural development chairperson, and Ms Laura Starnes, operations manager. They are very welcome and I thank them for their patience. Our earlier sessions ran on longer than expected. I will invite them to make their opening statement before opening up for members to put their comments and questions, but first I must remind everyone of privilege.

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. I also remind all those present to ensure that their phones are switched off.