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

I ask witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are completely turned off. We are here today to discuss the future of the beef sector in the context of Food Wise 2025. I welcome from the Beef Plan Movement, Mr. Eamon Corley, national chairman, Mr. Hugh Doyle, national vice chairman, and Mr. Eoin Donnelly, western regional chairman; and from Meat Industry Ireland, Mr Philip Carroll, chairman, Mr. Cormac Healy, senior director and Mr. Joe Ryan, director. I thank our guests for coming before the committee today and for sending their submissions in advance for discussion.

Before we begin I want to bring to the attention of witnesses that they 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 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 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 that under long-standing parliamentary practice, 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 invite Mr. Corley to make his opening statement.