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.

The purpose of today's meeting is to undertake an examination of forestry policy and strategy. The committee will hear from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, and the Minister of State with responsibility for land use and biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett.

All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others against Covid-19. 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 witnesses have a full defence in any defamation action arising from anything said in a 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 directions of the Chair in this regard and are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse comments should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who choose to give evidence from locations 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 matters arising from the proceedings. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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 utterances of members participating online in committee meetings 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 contributing.

The committee will hear from the Minister, the Minister of State, Mr. Colin Hayes, assistant secretary general, Mr. Barry Delany, director of forestry, and Mr. Fergus Moore, senior inspector. I call on the Minister to make his opening statement.