Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Cahill and Kehoe. I will take the Chair for this meeting. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. Members are requested to ensure their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to a flight safety mode, whichever is appropriate to the device, for the duration of the meeting. It is very important that they are turned off because they may interfere with the broadcasting system.

I welcome the witnesses. I will now read the notice on privilege. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means that witnesses have a full defence in any defamation action taken based on anything they say in the 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 discretion. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, where reasonable and unless there is no alternative, no commentary should be made identifying a third person or entity. Witnesses giving evidence from outside the location of the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same legal immunity as witnesses giving evidence from inside the parliamentary precincts and may consider taking legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamatory action does not apply to publication by the witnesses outside the precincts or the committee on any matter raised by these 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 these Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to identify him or her. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members who participate online in a committee meeting but they must be within the parliamentary precincts. Participating in a public meeting online from outside the parliamentary precincts may result in that member having online access removed.

The first item on the agenda is an examination of governance issues with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. I welcome the members of the board. I will ask Mr. Darragh O’Loughlin to introduce himself and to deliver his opening statement.