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

I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to make sure their mobile phones are turned off completely as they interfere with the broadcasting and recording systems, even when left in silent mode.

Some weeks ago the joint committee decided to bring together all of the stakeholders involved in the beef industry to see where its future lay in view of the fact that it had been through a very difficult year or a number of years. We requested submissions from those who had an interest in the sector. We received approximately 24 submissions from organisations and individuals and decided to make an analysis of the submissions received. As a result, we invited the Irish Farmers Association, IFA; the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA; the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA, and An Taisce to appear before us. Next week other groups will appear before us. We hope to have a report completed in the middle of May on what will have happened at the meetings we will have held to perhaps put a roadmap in place for the sector in order that it may have a more sustainable future.

From the Irish Farmers Association I welcome Mr. Joe Healy, president; Mr. Angus Woods, livestock chairman; and Mr. Kevin Kinsella, livestock director. From the ICMSA I welcome Mr. Pat McCormack, president; Mr. Des Morrison, chairperson of the livestock committee; and Mr. John Enright, general secretary. From the INHFA I welcome Mr. Vincent Roddy, director of organisation, and Mr. Brendan Joyce, national vice president.

I would like to bring to your attention 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask Mr. Healy to make his opening statement.