Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Fitzmaurice. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones.

In the first session of today's meeting, we will examine regulations and verification systems of online sales of pets. In the second session we will resume our examination of canine welfare, including artificial canine insemination, canine fertility clinics, ear cropping and microchipping. The committee will hear from representatives of Fido and Dogs.ie in the first session and representatives from the Veterinary Council of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in the second session.

On 28 February, legal requirement for mask wearing in all settings was removed. However, it is still good practice to use face coverings, particularly in crowded areas. The service encourages all members of the parliamentary community to wear face masks when moving around the campus and in close proximity to others. While the easing of restrictions removed the general requirement of for 2 metre physical distancing, public health advice continues to state that maintaining a distance from other people is good practice. It is important that everybody in the parliamentary community continues to be respectful of other people's space.

Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that witnesses have 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 they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses 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 any charges against any person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to utterances of members participating online in this committee meeting when their participation is 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.

In the first session today, we are joined from Dogs.ie by Mr. Paul Savage, founder, and Dr. Finbarr Heslin, chief executive officer, and from Fido by Mr. Timothy McMullen, chief operations officer.I welcome the witnesses and invite them to make their opening statements.