Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Michael Keatinge, deputy chief executive officer, BIM, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, to today’s meeting. The sub-committee is near to finalising its report on developing aquaculture and it appreciates Mr. Keatinge for attending to update it on the progress made in establishing the fisheries local action groups, FLAGs.

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 the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I remind members 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 also remind members to either switch their mobile telephones off or switch them to airplane mode.

I invite Mr. Keatinge to make his opening statement.