Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to aeroplane, safe or flight mode for the duration of the meeting. It is not sufficient to put phones on silent because this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the challenges facing the pig, poultry and horticulture sectors, particularly with regard to production costs and retail prices.

Witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to a committee. This means that a witness has full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on an issue. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are giving evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to the publication by witnesses, outside the proceedings held by the committee, of any matter arising from the proceedings.

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 any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurance in relation to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts, and members should be mindful of this when they are contributing.

We are joined today by representatives of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, including Mr. Tim Cullinan, president, Mr. Roy Gallie, pigs committee chair, Mr. Nigel Sweetnam, poultry committee chair, Ms Niamh Brennan, horticulture policy executive, and Mr. Robert Malone, senior policy executive for retail. I invite Mr. Cullinan to make the association's opening statement.