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

I draw witnesses' 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 a committee. This means a witness has a full defence in 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 and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against any 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 witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on the 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 the proceedings.

The agenda for the second session is to focus on two legislative proposals. The first is COM (2024) 576, proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on co-operation among enforcement authorities responsible for the enforcement of EU Directive No. 2019/633 on unfair trading practices, UTPs, in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain. The second is COM (2024) 577, proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending EU Regulations Nos. 1308/2013, 2021/2115 and 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain.

The committee will now hear from officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as follows: Ms Maria Dunne, assistant secretary general; Ms Angela Robinson, principal officer; Mr. Ultan Waldron, principal officer; and Mr. Damien Ward, assistant principal officer. Tá fáilte romhaibh. I will give you five minutes to present the details and then we will have a-----