Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to turn off their mobile phones.

I welcome Mr. Fabien Santini, deputy head of unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, DG AGRI. I thank him for appearing before the committee to engage with us on the cost and supply of fertiliser in the European Union. I also welcome the other representatives from DG AGRI.

Witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as far as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third party or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matter arising from the proceedings.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurance in relation to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts, and members should be mindful of this when they are contributing.

The issue we are to discuss is very important to our agrifood industry. The cost of fertiliser has escalated in the past six months. It has increased in this country by 250%. The availability and cost of fertiliser are a considerable cause of concern for our farmers. Our grass-growing system is significantly dependent on fertiliser and our cost base will be adversely affected. We would like Mr. Santini to outline to us why the huge increase in cost has occurred, the cause of that and the steps the Commission is taking to bring it back to somewhere near normality. Will fertiliser be available to farmers in the growing season, which starts in the next couple of weeks in this country? I invite Mr. Santini to make his opening statement to the committee.