Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses: Mr. Michael Spellman, Mr. T.J. Flanagan, and Mr. Eamonn Farrell of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, ICOS; Mr. Gerry Loftus and Ms Bridget Murphy of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA; Mr. Pat McCormack and Mr. Lorcan McCabe of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA; and Mr. Joe Healy, Mr. Thomas Cooney and Mr. Damian McDonald of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA. They are all very welcome.

Before I commence formal proceedings, I must begin with some formalities and advise our witnesses on the matter of privilege. I advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this 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. The witnesses 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. Finally, members are reminded that, under long-standing parliamentary practice and rulings of the Chair, members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I will call the witnesses to make their opening statements and I ask that the presentations be limited to four or five minutes. The members will have received these beforehand and should have read them. Those asking questions will first be allowed five minutes, and then three minutes. There will be a lot of questions arising in this session.

I ask now for the opening statement of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, ICOS.