Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I inform the witnesses that a vote has been called in the Dáil, but we will proceed with the meeting until the Deputies return. This will allow the witnesses an opportunity to read their statements into the record. Members have already received the statements and the Deputies will be back to put their questions. Rather than sitting around waiting for them to come back, the witnesses can at least read their statements.

I remind witnesses and persons in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. Members are requested to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are switched off completely or in airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their device. It is not sufficient for members just to put their phones in silent mode as this maintains a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

With effect from 25 January 2022, members and witnesses have the option of attending committee meetings in the relevant committee room rather than participating via Microsoft Teams. Masks should continue to be worn by those present when not addressing the committee. Room capacity will continue to be reduced in the short term until all microphones and seating can be returned.

Witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means a witness has 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 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 relating to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts, and members should be mindful of this when they are contributing.

For the second part of today's meeting I welcome the representatives from the Environmental Pillar and BirdWatch Ireland and thank them for coming before the committee today to engage on Ireland's draft Common Agricultural policy, CAP, strategic plan. The witnesses today are Ms Oonagh Duggan, head of advocacy, BirdWatch Ireland; Mr. Charles Stanley-Smith, CAP consultative committee representative, Environmental Pillar; Mr. Fintan Kelly, agriculture and land use policy and advocacy officer, Environmental Pillar; and Dr. Oliver Moore of Cultivate, UCC Centre for Co-operative Studies. I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements. We can start with the Environmental Pillar if that is okay.