Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Members and witnesses are requested to ensure that their mobile phones are off for the duration of the meeting. Before we begin, I want to bring to witnesses' 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 a full defence in any defamation action relating to anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse that privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at 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 when 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 the first session today is examination of education and upskilling in the agricultural sector. In the first session, the committee will hear from representatives from Teagasc and UCD. Professor O'Mara, I am told, is stuck in traffic, which is a usual occurrence at evening time in Dublin. I welcome Dr. Anne-Marie Butler, head of education in Teagasc, and Dr. Stan Lalor, director of knowledge transfer and national adviser. From UCD, the witnesses are: Professor Frank Monahan, who is joining us virtually, who is dean of agriculture and head of UCD agriculture and food science; Dr. Sharleen O'Reilly, associate dean of teaching and learning, the school of agriculture and food science, and associate professor in nutrient and food science, joining us virtually; Professor Tommy Boland, associate dean for research, innovation and impact, school of agriculture and food science, and professor of ruminant nutrition; and Professor Karina Pierce, professor of dairy production. They are all very welcome to today's meeting.

Their opening statement has been circulated to members. I will now allow them five minutes to read their opening statement and then we will proceed to the question-and-answer sessions.

I was going to allow Teagasc to go first; however, since Professor O'Mara was delayed, we will go with UCD first. I invite Professor Boland to make his opening statement.