Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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As the Chairman has been unavoidably delayed for an hour or so, I will chair the meeting until he arrives. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to switch off their mobile phones or to put them on aeroplane, safe or silent mode, depending on the device, for the duration of the meeting. I welcome Mr. Joe Healy, president, Mr. Damian McDonald, director general, Mr. Pat Collins, farm forestry committee chairman and Mr. Nicholas Sweetman, farm forestry committee executive, of the Irish Farmers Association. I thank them for coming before the committee today to brief it on issues affecting farmers and landowners with farm forestry partnership agreements.

Before we begin, I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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. Healy to make his opening statement.