Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Senator Paul Daly and Deputy Kehoe. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn is substituting for Deputy Martin Kenny.

Please turn off your mobile phones for the duration of the meeting.

I bring to the witnesses' attention that witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to a committee. This means that a witness has a full defence against 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 on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They 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 are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as does 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 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 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 the utterances of Members participating online in committee meetings when the participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. Members may not participate online in a public meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts, and any attempt to do so will result in the member having his or her online access removed.

The agenda for the first session of today's meeting is to examine issues impacting the fisheries sector and aquaculture. The committee will hear from officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ms Sinéad McSherry, assistant secretary, seafood and the marine; Ms Anna O'Sullivan, head of the sea-fisheries policy and management division; and Ms Suzanne Brennan, head of the marine programmes division, joining remotely. I will allow you five minutes to read your opening statement and then we will proceed to a question-and-answer session. I call Ms McSherry.