Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Paul Kelly, Food Drink Ireland, IBEC, to discuss the impact of Brexit, in particular on the food and drink sector which has been one of the most impacted sectors. I thank him for being with us this afternoon. We had a really good engagement with Dr. Pat Ivory and Mr. Neil Willoughby and we are looking forward to the second session with him.

Witnesses 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 do so, 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.

I invite Mr. Kelly to make his opening statement.