Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

All witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that witnesses have full defence in 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 direction of the Chair. Witnesses should follow the directions 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 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 the publication by you outside of 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 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 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. Any attempt to do so will result in a member having their online access removed.

The purpose of the first session of this evening's meeting is the pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council engagement with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue. The Minister is accompanied by his officials: Ms Sinéad McSherry, who is an assistant secretary general in the seafood and marine division; Ms Anna O'Sullivan, who is a principal officer in the sea-fisheries policy and management division; Dr. Ciaran Kelly, who is the director of fisheries ecosystem advisory services with the Marine Institute, Ms Michelle Twomey of the seafood policy and development division and Dr. Emmet Jackson of Bord Iascaigh Mhara's economic and strategic services unit.

I welcome the Minister and his officials to the meeting. The Minister's opening statement has been circulated to the members. I will allow the Minister five minutes to read it or give a synopsis of it and then we will proceed to a question-and-answer session.