Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Inniu táimid ag déanamh plé ar an mBille Oidhreachta 2016, the Heritage Bill 2016. To assist us in this matter I welcome from the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, Mr. Patrick Kent, president, Mr. Eddie Punch, general secretary, and Mr. Seamus Sherlock, rural development chairman; from the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland, Mr. Neil Foulkes and Mr. Val Swan; from BirdWatch Ireland, Dr. Alex Copland and Ms Oonagh Duggan; and from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, Mr. John Dolan, president, Mr. Alan Kelly, vice president, and Ms Kay Baxter, honorary secretary. An invitation was also sent to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, but unfortunately it had not been received. Its president, Mr. John Enright, expressed a desire for his association to present to the committee and regretted that it was unable to send someone to address today's meeting.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they 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. The opening statement and any other documents the witnesses have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I apologise for the late start, but we found it difficult to have a quorum this morning on time. I know that the delegates have travelled a good distance to make their presentations. Chun tús a chur leis an chomhrá tugaimid cuireadh anois don Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association á ráiteas a dhéanamh.