Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones.

I welcome Mr. Philip Carroll, assistant secretary; Mr. Pat Flanagan, senior superintending veterinary officer; and Mr. Richard Healy, director of animal health and welfare, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I thank them for appearing before the committee to brief us on the role of the newly established investigations division within the Department. I apologise for the change in the time of the meeting, but the Order of Business in the Dáil had changed, and it has changed again since we notified the witnesses of the rescheduling. The committee has agreed that the meeting will conclude by 5.20 p.m. at the latest and that we will got into private session between 5.20 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. to discuss the contributions of the witnesses.

I draw attention to the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Carroll to make his opening statement.