Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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We will resume in public session. I remind members and witnesses in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are completely turned off please.

We are resuming our examination of the proposed directive on unfair trading practices in business to business relationships in the food supply chain. I welcome Mr. Joe Healy, president, Mr. Damian McDonald, director general, and Ms Elaine Farrell, retail executive, Irish Farmers Association. I welcome Mr. Pat McCormack, president, and Mr. John Enright, general secretary, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association. I welcome Ms Alison Graham, European affairs executive, Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society. Finally, I welcome Mr. Thomas Burke, director, Retail Ireland. I thank all of the witnesses for coming before the meeting today to discuss this matter.

Before I begin I have to bring to the attention of witnesses that they 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 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges either against a person outside the Houses, or an official either by name, or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite the delegations to make their opening statements and afterwards we will take questions from the members. I invite Mr. Healy to make his opening statement, please.