Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

Before we begin, I must, as I do at every meeting, say a short few words 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 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 my direction as Chair. 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 precincts, which I do not think arises in this meeting, are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity and should take appropriate legal advice on this matter themselves. 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.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a Member 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 member partaking via MS Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm to me verbally 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The agenda for today's meeting is issues affecting inshore fishing. We know that there are many and they are serious and grave, and that is why we want to hear from representatives. We are delighted to be joined at this meeting by officials from the National Inshore Fishermen's Association, NIFA. Tá fíorfháilte rompu anseo. They are most welcome here. We look forward to our engagement. We have Mr. Michael Desmond, chairperson; Mr. John Menarry, vice chairman; and Mr. Michael Foley, head of the pelagic steering group. Their opening statement has been circulated to members in advance of this meeting, but I will give them up to five minutes if they want to go through the opening statement, read it into the record or summarise it, as they wish. I will leave that up to them. We will go to questions and answers thereafter. I ask members, when the opening statement has concluded, to indicate if they wish to speak and I will take a note of their name. We will hopefully get in two rounds of questions and answers if time allows. I remind members to ask their questions within their allotted time, which will be ten minutes, while also ensuring they give sufficient time for the witnesses to respond.

I will hand over to the witnesses Ar aghaidh libh.