Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As we are in public session, I welcome the witnesses from the Irish Timber Council and the Irish Forest and Forestry Products Association. I understand the Irish Forest and Forestry Products Association, IFFPA, representatives will speak first. I welcome Mr. Mark McAuley, director, and Mr. Daragh Little, chairman and managing director of Forest Enterprises Limited. I thank both of them for coming before the committee. We will come to the representatives of the Irish Timber Council later. As both of the groups are present, I can go through the privilege notice.

I draw your attention to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call on Mr. Little to make his presentation.