Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Leddin and Kehoe, and Senator Boylan. Before we begin, I remind members, guests and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones.

The purpose of this session is to examine afforestation and the forestry sector, while the second session will relate to an update on forestry sector targets. In our first session, the committee will hear from representatives from the Save groups and the Social, Economic, Environmental Forestry Association, SEEFA. Each group has been allocated one hour for its engagement with the committee.

On 28 February, the legal requirement for mask wearing in all settings was removed. However, it is still good practice to use face coverings, particularly in crowded areas. The Houses of the Oireachtas Service encourages all members of the parliamentary community to wear face masks when moving around the campus and in close proximity to others. While the easing of restrictions removed the general requirement to maintain 2 m physical distancing, public health advice continues to state that maintaining a distance from other people is good practice.

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 will have 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 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 any 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. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to utterances of members participating online in this committee meeting when their participation is within the parliamentary precincts. There is no assurance in respect of participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of that when they make their contributions.

I welcome Mr. Francis Cassidy, Mr. Brian Smyth and Ms Teresa McVeigh from the Save groups. I invite them to make their opening statement.