Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, I welcome Dr. Ciaran Byrne, chief executive officer, and Ms Suzanne Campion, head of business development.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submission or opening statements they have made will be published on the committee's website after this meeting. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind our guests and members to turn off their mobile phones or to switch them to flight mode as they interfere with our sound system.

I ask Dr. Byrne to make his opening statement. We will then take questions from members.