Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We have a quorum and will commence the meeting in public session. I remind committee members and witnesses to turn off their phones and I welcome from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr. Tom Moran, secretary general, Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll, assistant secretary, Dr. Kevin Smyth, assistant secretary, and Mr. Paul Dillon, assistant secretary. I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee to brief us on the Department's six-month report on developments in the EU from July to December 2013. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Moran to make his opening statement.