Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members, guests and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. The purpose of the first session of today’s meeting is to examine equine welfare, while the second session will focus on the development of the hemp sector in Ireland. The committee will hear from representatives of My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue on equine welfare in the first session and representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc on the development the hemp sector in Ireland in the second.

From 28 February, the legal requirement for mask wearing in all settings has been removed. However, it is still good practice to continue to use a face mask, particularly in crowded areas. While the easing of restrictions has removed the general requirement of maintaining a 2 m physical distance, the public health advice continues to state that maintaining a distance from other people is good practice. It is important everyone in the parliamentary community continue to be respectful of other people's physical space.

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 they will have a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. They are expected, however, not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chairman's direction. Witnesses should follow the directions of the Chairman in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that, to the extent that is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside of 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 this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect they should not comment on, criticise nor make charges against a 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 the utterances of members participating online in the committee meeting when they participate from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurances in respect of participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of this when contributing.

During the first session, we will hear from the following representatives of My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue: Ms Martina Kenny and Ms Deborah Kenny, co-founders, and Mr. Eoin Cullen, director. I invite them to make their opening statement.