Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members back to the meeting to continue our discussion of the impact of peat shortages on the horticultural industry. I welcome Mr. Brian Lucas, principal officer in the peatland issues and land designation section of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We have received Mr. Lucas's opening statement. Deputy Leddin has said that it is a short statement and he has asked that it be read into the record.

Before we begin, I must read an important notice on privilege. 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 regarding 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 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 in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Participants in a committee meeting from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protections afforded to those participating within the parliamentary precincts does not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or the extent to which the participation is covered by the absolute privilege of a statutory nature.

As Deputy Leddin has requested that Mr. Lucas be allowed to read his opening statement into the record, I will allow this, and we will proceed then to questions and answers immediately afterwards. I call now Mr Lucas to speak, please.

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