Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to turn off their phones. I welcome, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Brendan Gleeson, assistant secretary, Mr. Gordon Conroy, principal officer, Mr. Colm Hayes, principal officer, Mr. Fintan O'Brien, principal officer, and Mr. J. P. Mulherin, assistant principal, and thank them for coming before the committee today to brief it on developments regarding the beef data and genomics programme.

Before we begin, I bring to your attention that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any 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.