Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Tom Moran, Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who is accompanied by his officials, Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll, Ms Bríd Cannon and Mr. Kevin Smyth. I thank them for their attendance to brief members on the Department's six-monthly report on developments in the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2013. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses 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 also 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 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 by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Moran and any departmental officials who wish to follow him to make their opening statements.