Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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We are dealing with the pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017. Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are turned off. I welcome the representatives of the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dr. Andrew Kelly, chief executive officer, and Mr. Conor Dowling, chief inspector, and the representatives of Dogs Trust Ireland, Ms Suzie Carley, executive director, and Ms Lucy Cronin, public affairs. I thank them for appearing before the committee to discuss the heads of the Bill. I also thank them for their written submissions which have been circulated to the members of the committee. These will be published on the committee's website for general observations. We will hear a short presentation from the witnesses for each group, which will be followed by questions from the members.

I wish to bring to the attention of the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, 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 a 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 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 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.

I invite Dr. Kelly to make his opening statement. We will then hear from Ms Carley.