Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some people might be happy if I went on the missing list. I must read the note on privilege again. I will also introduce the witnesses again. I apologise, as we had a technical glitch.

From the IFA, I welcome Mr. Tim Cullinan, president, and Mr. Brian Rushe, deputy president. From the ICMSA, I welcome Mr. Pat McCormack, president, and Mr. Pat O'Brien, a national council member from Offaly. From the NARGC, I welcome Mr. Dan Curley, chairman, and Mr. John Butler, national executive member. We have received their opening statements, which have already been circulated to members. Since we are limited in our time due to the Covid-19 safety restrictions, the committee has agreed that the opening statements will be taken as read so that we can use the full session for questions and answers.

I will outline an important notice regarding parliamentary privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 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. Participants in the meeting from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protections afforded to those participating within the parliamentary precincts do not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether, or the extent to which, their participation is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature.

The subject matter of this meeting is an important issue for people adjacent to Bord na Móna bogs and the committee decided that it merited a full meeting. I now invite members to ask questions of the three organisations, which are in attendance to represent farmers in the areas.