Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Fitzmaurice. I welcome Mr. Anthony Collins, Mr. John Joe Fitzpatrick and Mr. Michéal Leahy from Horse Care Ireland. They are all joining us remotely from a witness room in Kildare House. The witnesses' opening statement has already been circulated to members. We are limited in time due to Covid-19 safety restrictions and so the committee has agreed that the opening statement be taken as read, in order that we can use the full session for questions and answers. All opening statements are published on the Oireachtas website and publicly available.

Regarding parliamentary privilege, 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 do so, 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 be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice 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, her or it identifiable.

I call Deputy Michael Collins.