Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No apologies have been received from Deputies or Senators. It is proposed that the three different groups will appear before the committee separately and, as each group comes in, there will be an opportunity for members to raise questions. I propose to take a list of names at the start and then to follow through with the same list of names for each group of witnesses if members are agreeable on that.

Before we begin, I will read the note on privilege. 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 taken based on anything they say in the 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 discretion. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, where reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable a third person or entity. Witnesses giving evidence from outside the location of the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses 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 witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from proceedings.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask that any member partaking via Microsoft Teams prior to making their contribution to the meeting would confirm that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

On our agenda for today is an examination of the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023. The committee will first hear from representatives of Merchants Alliance Ireland. The witnesses are Ray Doyle, Barry Larkin, Ollie Ryan and Terence O'Shea. Members will have received the opening statement and will have had an opportunity to review it. I ask the witnesses to confine their opening remarks to two minutes and then we will proceed to questions and answers. I propose that we take six minutes per member and move on to the next group of witnesses after that with the co-operation of the members.

Is that agreed? Agreed.