Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to turn off their mobile telephones. I welcome from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Mr. Derek Iceton, chairman and Mr. Shane O'Dwyer, manager; and from the County and City Managers Association, Mr. Brendan McGrath, chairman of the association's environment, climate change and emergency planning committee and chief executive of Galway County Council; Mr. Joe Boland, director of services, environment, Kildare County Council; Mr. Garrett Shine, Louth county veterinary officer; Mr. John McCarthy, Limerick veterinary officer; and from the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Ms Jane Myerscough, chairperson; Ms Sharon Power, co-founder and Ms Claire Owens, welfare officer; from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dr. Andrew Kelly, chief executive officer and Ms Barbara Bent, chair of the ISPCA board of directors.

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. As they are aware the committee is looking at the wider horse industry in Ireland where policy can be optimised to further develop the sector as a whole. Last week Horse Sport Ireland and the Irish Bookmakers Association appeared before the committee. Today, by the nature of the witnesses, we have a particular emphasis on animal welfare issues. I am sure the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association are equally interested in animal welfare issues.

I advise the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members have already been reminded of their responsibility with regard to privilege at the earlier session.

I will invite one representative from each group to make an opening statement. I will call Mr. Iceton, Mr. McGrath, Ms Myerscough and Dr. Kelly in that order.

I now invite Mr. Iceton to make his opening statement.