Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Barry Lynch, technical director of AgriNet, and Mr. Gerry Lynskey, managing director of Kingswood Computing. I thank them for coming to brief the joint committee on farm management information technology systems and hope we did not delay them for too long. As this is our first meeting since the summer break, we had to get some private business out of the way.

Before we begin, I have to notify our guests of the fact that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Lynch to make his opening statement.