Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I remind members and those in the Public Gallery to make sure their mobile phones are completely turned off. Today, we are discussing climate change issues specific to the agriculture, food and marine sectors. I welcome before the committee today Mr. Joe Condon and Ms Bridget Murphy from the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA. From Meat Industry Ireland, MII, we have Mr. Philip Carroll and Mr. Cormac Healy. We also have Mr. Clive Carter and Mr. Pat Cleary from the Irish Grain Growers Association. I thank them for coming before us today to discuss these issues. I would also like to thank them for their submissions, which were circulated to members beforehand.

Before we begin, 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.

We will hear first from Meat Industry Ireland, then the Irish Grain Growers Association followed by the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association. I understand Mr. Carter is going to make the opening statement. We will take that first, then the other two statements, one after another, and then questions from the members. I call Mr. Carter.