Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll, Secretary General, Ms Brid Cannon, principal officer, Mr. Paul Savage, principal officer, Ms Karen Hanlon, assistant principal officer, Mr. Thomas Harty, assistant agricultural inspector, and Mr. Lorcan O'Shea, higher executive officer. I thank the witnesses for appearing before the joint committee to brief members on the Department's six monthly report on developments in the European Union in the period from July to December 2014. While Mr. O'Driscoll accompanied the Minister to a previous meeting of the joint committee, this is the first time he will address the committee in his role as Secretary General. I extend my best wishes to him and his team in their role.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If, however, they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity outside the House 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Mr. O'Shea and Mr. Harty attended our meeting of 28 April last at which we discussed the issue of land eligibility. A number of issues raised at the meeting were clarified subsequently in correspondence received from Dr. Kevin Smyth. I also thank Dr. Smyth for the revised eligibility guide he submitted. I invite Mr. O'Driscoll to make his opening statement.