Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. I bring to the attention of members and witnesses that those 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 a full defence in any defamation action relating to anything said at a committee meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse that privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue of the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that, insofar as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses 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 a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts. They 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 those proceedings.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that 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 utterances of members participating online in the committee meeting if their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts and any attempt to do so will result in the member having his or her online access removed.

The purpose of today's meeting is to receive an update on Ireland's forestry programme and strategy. The committee will hear from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett. They are welcome to today's meeting. The opening statements have been circulated to members. I now ask them to read their opening statements, after which we will proceed to a question-and-answer session.