Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

For this second part of our meeting I welcome from the Irish Farm Film Producers Group, Mr. Liam Moloney, general manager; Ms Geraldine O’Sullivan, director and company secretary; and Mr. Tom Dunne, chairperson. Mr. Dunne has not yet joined the call, we are trying to connect with him now and he may join us as we progress the meeting.

The witnesses are all very welcome to the meeting. We have received the group's opening statement, which has already been circulated to members. As we are limited in time, due to Covid restrictions, the committee has agreed that the opening statement can be taken as read in order that the full session can be used for questions and answers. All opening statements are published on the Oireachtas website and are publicly available.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence 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 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 committee meeting from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protections afforded to those who are participating within the parliamentary precincts do 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.

I now invite questions from members.