Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. Witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precinct are protected by absolute privilege with respect to the evidence they give to a committee. This means that witnesses have full defence against any defamation action in respect of anything said at 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 direction of the Chair in this regard and I remind them 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 give 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 a witnesses giving evidence within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by witnesses outside 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 the committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precinct. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. Any attempt to do so will result in the member having their online access removed.

The purpose of today's meeting is for the committee to resume the discussion about the challenges facing the horse sport industry. The committee will hear from the following officials: from the Royal Dublin Society, RDS, Mr. Pat Hanly, deputy chief executive of finance, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Freyne, chair of equestrian committee, and Mr. Flor Madden, member of the trustee council; from the Irish Draught Horse Breeders' Association, Mr. Robert Draper, national chairperson, and Ms Amanda Fahey, director; from the Equestrian Competition Venues Owners' Alliance, ECVOA, Mr. Robert Fagan, member, Mr. Chris Byrne, member and who is joining remotely, and Mr. Pat McCartan, co-ordinator; and from Showjumping Ireland, Mr. Christopher Murphy, chairman, Mr. Desmond McFadden, vice chair, and Mr. Ronan Corrigan, chairman of management and finance. They are all welcome to this evening's meeting.

I will allow each group five minutes to read their opening statement, commencing with the RDS to be followed by the Irish Draught Horse Breeders' Association, the ECVOA and finishing with Showjumping Ireland. When the reading of the opening statements is complete, we will proceed to a question and answer session. I ask the RDS to make its opening statement please.