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

As there were no apologies received, I will move onto privilege. Before we begin, I bring to witnesses' attention that witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precinct are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at 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 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 are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precinct are asked to note they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precinct 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.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the House 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 the utterances of Members participating online in a committee meeting where their participation is from within the parliamentary precinct. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precinct and any attempt to do so will result in a Member having their online access removed.

The witnesses are very welcome. Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe. We have a good and packed agenda. We will start with farm safety, move on to mental health and well-being and finish on the COM proposal afterwards. We will start with farm safety. We have approximately an hour on that. The committee will hear from officials from several groups. From Embrace FARM, we have Ms Norma Rohan, Mr. Brian Rohan and Ms Catherine Kenneally. From AgriKids, we have Ms Alma Jordan and Ms Tara Farrell. From FBD Insurance, we have Ms Kate Tobin, Mr. Ciaran Roche and Mr. Pat Gilligan. Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe. They are very welcome. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss the issue with them.

We have the submissions that were sent earlier and Members have had the opportunity to read through them. I ask that each group take two minutes to make a statement. At that stage, we will open to the floor where Members will have the opportunity to ask questions. I will take it in groups of five and people will have the opportunity to ask a couple of quick questions. We will then get updates and responses from the witnesses and move on to another group of five questioners. There will be approximately 15 minutes per group. I ask Members to ask their questions as quickly and concisely as they can so the witnesses have the best opportunity to respond. We will start with Embrace FARM, followed by AgriKids and then FBD. The opening statements have been provided and are taken as read into the record. We will begin with Ms Rohan, who has two minutes to make her contribution.