Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome from the Irish Farmers Association, Mr. John Lynskey, chairman of the national sheep committee, and Mr. Kevin Kinsella, director of livestock, to make a short presentation.

I wish to draw to attention the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If witnesses 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 a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her it identifiable.

I invite Mr. Lynskey to take the floor.