Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Senator Paul Daly. We have received notification that Deputies Claire Kerrane and Johnny Mythen have joined the committee and that Deputies Matt Carthy and Martin Browne have left the committee. I welcome the new members and thank Deputies Carthy and Browne for their contribution and commitment to the committee. I can only read what is in front of me, Deputy Browne. You are not going to leave us as easy as that, Martin.

I remind members, witnesses and people in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. All present in the committee room are asked to exercise personally responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid.

Before we begin, I bring to the attention of those present 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 witnesses have a full defence in any defamation action arising out of 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. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, within reason, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses 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 do witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. The privilege against defamation does not apply to publications 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, 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 from within the parliamentary precincts. There can be no assurance regarding participation online from outside the parliamentary precincts and members should be mindful of this when they are contributing.

The purpose of today's meeting is to undertake an examination of the disparity in costs of fertiliser. The committee will hear from representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, Mr. Brian Rushe, deputy president, Mr. Karol Kissane, farm business policy executive, IFA, and Dr. Max Potterton, grain policy executive; from Macra na Feirme, Mr. John Keane, president, Ms Elaine Houlihan, president elect and Dr. Liam Hanrahan, national agricultural affairs chairperson; Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, ISMSA, Mr. Pat McCormack, president, and Mr. John Enright, general secretary; from the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, Mr. Eddie Punch, general secretary and Mr. Dan Lynam, delegate to national fodder and food security committee; and joining us remotely from the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA are Mr. Vincent Roddy, national president, Mr. Liam Lavelle, Mayo national council representative and Mr. Tomas O'Toole, Galway national council representative. Their opening statements are being taken as read.

I ask the representatives of each group to make five-minute opening remarks. I call on Mr. Rushe.