Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members witnesses and persons in the public gallery to turn off their mobile phones. The focus of this afternoon's meeting is the examination of challenges facing the pig industry and fixed-price milk contracts.

On 28 February, legal requirement for mask-wearing in all settings was removed. However, it is still good practice to use face coverings, particularly in crowded areas. Before we begin, I want to bring to everyone's attention that witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means witnesses have 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 by the Chair to cease giving evidence on an issue. 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 is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are giving 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 witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this 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 any person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

In this session, we will hear from representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, and Meat Industry Ireland, MII. The representatives from the IFA are Mr. Tim Cullinan, president, Mr. William Murphy, pigs committee vice chair, and Mr. Tadhg Buckley, director of policy. The representatives from MII are Mr. Philip Carroll, chairman, Mr. Cormac Healy, senior director, and Mr. Joe Ryan, director.

There were developments in the crisis in the pig sector this morning, with the Minister putting a package on the table. Mr. Cullinan wishes to comment on that. We will allow him to add a supplementary to his opening statement.