Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Patrick Kent, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association, ICSA, Mr. Eddie Punch, general secretary, and Mr. Kieran O'Dowd, national president of Macra na Feirme, Mr. Sean Coughlan, chairman of the agricultural affairs committee, and Mr. Derrie Dillion, agricultural and rural affairs manager. I thank them for appearing before the committee to speak on the agri-taxation review. Just to explain, some members of the committee have had to go to the Seanad and hope to be back but I hope that a couple of others members will be here. We considered it important to invite the witness to make a presentation so that it will go on the record.

Before we begin, I remind witnesses that they 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 mater 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I propose to take both presentations together, Mr. Patrick Kent following Mr. Kieran O'Dowd. Is that agreed? Agreed.