Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Kehoe and Senator Boyhan. Before we begin I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. Members are requested to turn off their mobile phones completely or to switch them to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their device, for the duration of the meeting. It is not sufficient to put phones on silent mode because this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

The purpose of today's meeting is to examine artificial canine insemination and for the committee to resume its examination of canine fertility clinics, ear cropping and microchipping legislation. In a second session, the committee will also review the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The committee will hear from witnesses from the Dogs Trust and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA, in the first session and from representatives of the Dogs Trust 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 Houses of the Oireachtas 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 to maintain 2 m 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 is no assurance in relation to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of that when they make their contributions.

In the first session we will hear from representatives of Dogs Trust Ireland and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. From Dogs Trust Ireland we have Ms Sarah Lynch and Mr. Conor Brennan, and from the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals we have Mr. Conor Dowling. I ask the witnesses to make their opening statements, and Dogs Trust Ireland will go first.