Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Brexit: Discussion with Mushroom Industry

5:00 pm

Chairman:

I welcome Mr. Gerry Reilly, chairman of the IFA's horticulture committee, Mr. Micheál McGovern, chairman of Commercial Mushroom Producers Co-operative Limited, Mr. Leslie Codd, marketing manager at Codd Mushrooms Limited, Mr. Ronnie Wilson of Monaghan Mushrooms and Ms Rowena Dwyer, the IFA's chief economist. I thank them for appearing before the committee. The plight of the mushroom industry has been raised at the committee in recent weeks. As a result, we decided to invite the witnesses to attend prior to the budget with a view to determining whether we could help to alleviate any of the difficulties facing them.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to turn off their mobile phones.

Before commencing, and in accordance with the proceedings, I am required to read the privilege notice. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, 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 they 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I understand that Mr. Reilly will make a short presentation on behalf of the witnesses. It will be followed by questions from members.