Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I remind members and witnesses to ensure that their mobile phones are turned off. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the issue of areas of natural constraints. From the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I welcome Mr. Paul Dillon, assistant secretary general, Mr. Fintan O’Brien, principal officer, Mr. Larry Cashman, assistant principal, and Mr. Thomas Harty, assistant principal. I thank them for attending in order to brief the committee.

Before we begin, I wish to bring to the attention of our guests the issue of privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 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 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. Dillon to make his opening statement.