Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The good news is that we will not have to go for any more votes, so at least we will have a clean run now.

Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. Witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means a witness has a full defence in any defamation action of anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this 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 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 give evidence from outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as those who give 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 that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the House 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 line in a committee when they are participating from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in the public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts and any attempt to do so will result in the member having their online access removed.

The purpose of the first session this evening is the examination of access to the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, BAR, fund. The committee will hear from officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mr. Gordon Conroy, chief financial officer; Mr. Damien Flynn, head of the Brexit unit; Ms Maria Dunne, head of meat and milk policy; Ms Deirdre Fay, head of horticulture and plant health division; and Ms Rebecca Chapman, finance officer.

You are welcome to this evening's meeting. Your opening statement has been circulated to members. I will allow five minutes for you to read this and then we will proceed with a question and answer session.