Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. The purpose of this session is detailed scrutiny of the Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill 2017. I welcome Mr. Jeremy Percy, executive director of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe, LIFE; Ms Norah Parke, project co-ordinator, Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, KFO; Mr. Francis O'Donnell, chief executive officer, Irish Fish Producers Organisation, IFPO; Mr. Hugo Boyle, chief executive officer, Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation, ISEFPO; Mr. Patrick Murphy, chief executive officer, Irish South West Fish Producers Organisation, ISWFPO, and Mr. Greg Casey, consultant. I also thank them all for their attendance today and their written submissions and opening statements, which were circulated to members. I ask the witnesses to confine their presentations to ten minutes, if possible, please.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence 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, persons 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 now invite Mr. Percy to make his opening statement.