Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have not received any apologies. Deputy Wynne has indicated she will attend later. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones.

The witnesses should note 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 by the Chair. 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 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 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 where their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in the public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. Any attempt to do so will result in the member having his or her online access removed.

The purpose of today's meeting is the examination of the threat of bark beetles to plantations. The committee will hear from representatives from the Irish Farmers Association and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The first session will hear from representatives from the IFA. We are joined by its president, Mr. Francie Gorman; Mr. Jason Fleming, the farm forestry chair; Mr. Damian McDonald, director general; and Ms Geraldine O’Sullivan, senior policy executive. They are all very welcome.

Their opening statement has been circulated to committee members. I will allow five minutes to read the opening statement and then we will proceed to a question-and-answer session. As it is Mr. Gorman’s first time before the committee as president of the IFA, I wish him the very best of luck in his term as president. I am sure we will cross paths fairly regularly in the coming months. On my own behalf, and that of the committee, I wish him the very best of luck.