Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses, who are in committee room 2, to discuss the situation in meat processing plants. I have a different name on the list before me but the representative from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, is obviously Ms Patricia King. I welcome Ms King and thank her very much for coming before the committee again. She was here on the first day, as were representatives from the Health and Safety Authority. From SIPTU, I welcome Mr. Greg Ennis, manufacturing division organiser. From the Independent Workers' Union, I welcome Ms Nora Labo of the Cork Operative Butchers Society.

I wish to advise our guests 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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.

I will ask each witness to make an opening statement of no more than five minutes' duration. I understand Ms King's statement is quite short. She may wish to give some of her time to her trade union movement colleagues.