Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Mac Lochlainn is substituting for Deputy Carthy and Deputy Doherty is substituting for Deputy Martin Browne. Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. The purpose of today's meeting is to examine the weighing of fisheries products. The committee will hear from representatives of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA.

Since 28 February, the legal requirement of mask-wearing in all settings has been removed. However, it is still good practice to continue to use a face masks or coverings, particularly in crowded areas. The service encourages all members of the parliamentary community to wear face masks when moving around the campus and in close proximity to others.

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 that 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 that 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 they should not comment on, criticise or 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 relation to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of this when contributing.

The committee will hear from the following representatives from the SFPA: Mr. Paschal Hayes, executive chairperson; Ms Olive Loughnane, senior executive manager and director of transformation; and Dr. Micheál O’Mahony, senior executive manager and chief scientific adviser. I welcome the witnesses and call on them to make their opening statement.