Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. I bring to their attention that witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that a witness has a 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 to cease giving evidence. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in that regard. I remind them of the long-standing practice, as is reasonable, that no adverse comment should be made against an identifiable third person or entity.

Witnesses giving evidence from locations outside of parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity in legal proceedings as witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take advice in this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to their publication outside of the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

The purpose of the first session of today's meeting is further scrutiny of EU legislative proposal COM (2024) 139, a proposal for a regulation on agricultural and environmental condition standards, scheme for climate, environmental and animal welfare, amendments to Common Agricultural Policy strategic plans and review of CAP strategic plans, CSPs.

The committee will hear from the following officials: Ms Sharon Murphy, acting assistant secretary, EU and international trade, Ms Corina Roe, principal officer, CAP strategic plan division, and Mr. Michael Moloney, senior inspector, integrated controls division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I welcome them. I will allow five minutes for the opening statement and then proceed to this evening's question and answer session.