Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings.
The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the crisis affecting bull beef producers. I welcome from the IFA Mr. Eddie Downey, president; Mr. Henry Burns, livestock chairman; Mr. Pat Smith, general secretary; and Mr. Kevin Kinsella, director of livestock. Attending on behalf of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, ICSA, are Mr. Patrick Kent, president; Mr. Eddie Punch, general secretary; and Mr. Edmond Phelan, beef chairman. The representatives of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, are Mr. John Comer, president; Mr. Michael Guinan, chairman of the beef and cattle committee; and Mr. John Enright, general secretary. Representing the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, ICOS, are Mr. Michael Spellman, chairman, and Mr. Ray Doyle, secretary. This is the first appearance of Mr. Downey and Mr. Kent since their election as presidents. I congratulate both gentlemen and wish them the best of luck during their terms in office. We look forward to working with them. This is the first time both will address the committee in their respective roles. Representatives of the meat industry will attend later. I invite the delegates to make their presentations in the following order: the IFA, the ICSA, the ICMSA and the ICOS.
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. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 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. Downey to make his opening statement.