Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This morning's meeting is a discussion on alleged issues in the horse racing industry with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This follows on from our meetings with Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board and Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. This series of meetings was called on foot of recent allegations made in the media. However, it must be stated, we are not a committee of inquiry, so we are not here to judge the veracity of statements made or explore any allegations of wrongdoing against any person. Our only objective is to establish what systems and processes are in place and to see if they are up to international standards and to discuss any policy issues arising.

I remind witnesses and members that I will not allow criticism of anyone in particular and anyone who is not here to defend himself or herself. I remind them of the parliamentary practice to the effect that 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.

I welcome the following officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dr. Kevin Smyth, assistant secretary general; Mr. Michael Sheahan, deputy chief veterinary officer; and Mr. Tim Drea, head of the investigation unit. They are joining us from a witness room in Kildare House. We have received the opening statement and briefing material which has been circulated to members. All opening statements are published on the Oireachtas website and are publicly available. Dr. Smyth will be given ten minutes to make the opening statement before we go into questions and answers.

Before we begin, I wish read an important notice on parliamentary privilege. 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 relating to 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.

I call on Dr. Smyth to make his opening statement.