Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

Apologies have been received from Deputy Cooney and Senators Craughwell and Wilson.

Before we begin, I bring to members' attention, as I am required to at the start of every meeting, the issue of privilege. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence that they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a full defence from any defamation action for 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 discretion. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. I remind witnesses 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 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 the publication by the witnesses outside the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order 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 any members participating via Microsoft Teams, though I do not believe we have any at the moment, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The agenda for today's meeting is the extension of the EU-UK trade agreement and the implications for the Irish fishing and seafood sector. As agreed previously by this committee, we will first hear from the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for fisheries, Deputy Timmy Dooley, and his officials. I ask the Minister of State to introduce his officials.