Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin I must 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 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 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. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to utterances of members participating online in this committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurance in relation to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of this when they are contributing.

The committee will hear from Mr. Vincent Roddy, president; Mr. Micheál McDonnell, vice president; and Ms Sharon Cosgrove, national secretary of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association, INHFA, all of whom join us remotely. We are joined in the committee room by Mr. John Keane, national president, and Mr. Liam Hanrahan, chair of the national agricultural affairs committee, Macra na Feirme. I welcome all the witnesses to this session.

I call Mr. McDonnell to make his opening statement.