Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Rural and Community Development. A vote is taking place in the Dáil but we will carry on while we wait for our colleagues who are Deputies. The witnesses may read their statements into the record and some of the Senators will ask questions. We will then be rejoined by the Chair and our colleagues from the Dáil.

At that the outset I have some housekeeping to do. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Before we begin I bring to the witnesses' attention that 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 commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who 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 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 utterances of members participating online in committee meetings when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurances in relation to participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of this when contributing.

Today's agenda is to discuss dangerous dog breeds and sheep worrying. For the second session, we are joined by the Department of Rural and Community Development which is represented by Mr. Paul Geraghty, principal officer, and Ms Catherine Burns, assistant principal officer; and from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Eoin Ryan, senior superintending veterinary inspector, animal welfare division; and Dr. Mary McCarthy, principal officer, animal health and import policy division. I invite the representatives from Department of Rural and Community Development to make their opening statement.