Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Senator Murphy is substituting for Senator Paul Daly.

I remind Members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones.

The purpose of today's meeting is, first, to review and to continue the committee's examination of flooding of Lough Funshinagh, at Senator Murphy's and Deputy Fitzmaurice's request; second, to discuss a vision for the future of Irish farming; and, third, to resume pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the veterinary medicinal products, medicated feed and fertilisers regulation Bill 2022. The committee will hear from representatives of the Lough Funshinagh group, Macra na Feirme and Veterinary Ireland.

All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility in order to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Two of our secretarial staff, our secretary and our main researcher, are down with Covid at the moment, so it most definitely has not gone away.

I wish to bring to the attention of witnesses who are to give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. That means they have a full defence in any defamation action for anything said at the committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. 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 to give 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 does 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 either a 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 the utterances of Members participating in this committee meeting online when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurances in respect of participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts. Members should be mindful of this when contributing.