Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to welcome Mr. Gerard Murphy, managing director of Coillte forests, Mr. Bill Stanley, strategy and business development director, Mr. Pauric Nolan, national partner liaison and Mr. P.J. Trait and Mr. Paul Ruane, business area unit. Thank you for coming in today to bring the committee up to date on the issues affecting the farmers-landowners with farm forestry partnership agreements. You have been keeping the committee up since Mr. Leamy appeared before the committee in December and I thank you for those two reports.

Before we begin I want to bring to witnesses attention the fact that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, 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 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Murphy to make his opening statement.