Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I draw attention to the fact 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 a witness has full defence against any defamation action about 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 about an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give 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 and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by the witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee or any matters arising from the proceedings.

In this session, the committee will hear from witnesses from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mr. Barry Delany, director of forestry; Mr. Seamus Dunne, senior inspector, forestry inspectorate division; and Ms Deirdre Fay, senior inspector, horticulture and plant health division. They are welcome to today's committee meeting. Their opening statement has been circulated among members. I will allow them a couple of minutes to give a summary of that statement and then we will proceed to questions and answers.