Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are back in public session for an engagement with Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. I welcome Mr. Brian Kavanagh, CEO, Horse Racing Ireland; Mr. Denis Egan, CEO, Irish the Horseracing Regulatory Board; Dr. Lynn Hillyer, chief veterinary officer and head of equine anti-doping, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board; Mr. Niall Cronin, communications manager, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and Dr. Clive Pearce, LGC laboratories, Newmarket. I thank them for returning to continue the discussion of the important topic as there was not sufficient time for members' questions last Thursday. We have received their opening statements. We are limited in our time, due to Covid-19, and are taking their opening statements as read and leaving the full time for questions of the members.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and continue to do so, the witnesses are entitled thereafter 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. 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 who are in locations outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that the constitutional protections afforded to those participating from within the parliamentary precincts do not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or the extent to which participation is covered by the absolute privilege of a statutory nature. We will resume with questioning of the two boards.